Early landmarks of Syracuse

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EARLY LANDMARKS

OF

SYRACUSE

BY

GURNEY S. STRONG

City Editor of The 8uiulay Times

With an Introduction by
GEORGE J. GARDNER

Long a prominent member of the Onondaga Historical Association

SYRACUSE, N. Y

Printed and Illustrated by
THE TIMES PUBLISHING COMPANY

1894

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Copyrifrht, 1894.
By (iURNEY S. STRONG

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PREFACE

In order that valuable material, almost lost by
neglect, might be rescued from obscurity; and that
those who once played a prominent part in the early
history of Syracuse, even though their descendants
might not have been publicly distinguished, should
have the story of their services to the city recorded
and preserved for the city's future historian; and
lastly, that a work might be presented within the
reach of the most modest purse, the author has under-
taken the compilation of the following historical
sketches. No attempt has been made to unduly
praise the men prominent in the early history of this
city, nor to detract from any one the credit that is
rightly due.

In compiling this material — valuable to the stu-
dent, to the historian, and to every one who is inter-
ested in the city's continued prosperity, whether
descendants of the early settlers or coming hither in
later years — the author has availed himself of the
books already written.

It is a singular fact that "Clark's Onondaga,"

(iii)

iv PREFACE

written liy Joshua V. H. Clark in 18-19, and the
" Memorial History of Syracuse," edited by D wight
H. Bruce and published in 1891, are very rare and ex-
pensive books, exceedingly difficult to obtain. Aside
from recourse to those books, assistance has been
obtained from M. C. Hand's "From a Forest to a City."

The author would extend his special acknowledg-
ments to George J. Gardner, whose mind is a store-
house of historical information and whose library
contains many pamphlets and papers very rare and
priceless; to ex-Lieut-Gov. Thomas G. Alvord, whose
retentive memory has supplied many names and dates
and events; to Gen. Dwight H. Bruce, whose encour-
agement and advice have been of great assistance;
and he is none the less under obligations to the many
others who have kindly aided in this undertaking by
furnishing facts and suggestions.

The records in the County Clerk's office have been
critically examined ; and for aid in the prosecution of
this part of the work acknowledgments are due to
County Clerk De Forest Settle and the search clerks,
Jonathan B. Wliite, James Butler and James B.
Hitchcock. The old newspaper files have also been
consulted, valuable aid liaving been rendered in this
labor by the Rev. Ezekiel W. Mundy, Librarian of
the Central Library.

In writing the chapter on the Onondaga Academy,
the author has been greatly aided by the historical

PPvEFA(.'E V

address of John T. Roberts, prepared for the reunion
of the graduates of the academy, June 10, 1885. And
the chapter on the "Jerry Rescue" was compiled from
a paper written by Charles Russell Bardeen as a special
report in United States history in Harvard University,
April 13, 181)3.

For reasons well understood in this community, it
is deemed proper to state that not one of the illustra-
tions has been or will be paid for by anyone excepting
the author, who alone bears the entire expense of this
publication.

The county is about to celebrate the centennial of

its existence ; and the matter has been brought to the

attention of the public and county authorities by the

well directed endeavors of the Onondaga Historical

Association. If the present volume shall prove of any

advantage or contribute in any degree to the projier

and worthy observance of the occasion, this publication

will perhaps not be deemed inopportune at the present

time.

The Author.

Syracuse, N. F., Jantmry, 181)4.

INTRODUCTION

" Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,

This is my own, my native land !
"Wliose heart hath ne'er within him burned,
As home his footsteps lie hath turned

FVom wandering on a foreign strand?
If such tliere breathe, go, mark him well ;
For him no minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim, —
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self.
Living, shall forfeit fair renown.
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust, from whence he sprung.
Unwept, unhonored and unsung."

Thus sang tlie great Scottish Bard — a sentiment
which should find an echo in every patriotic breast.

A writer has said that three most tender and
touching words in the English language are Mother —
Home — Heaven. A man who does not love his
country — who will not labor for its interests — who
smothers the fire of patriotism which naturally

(vii)

viii KARLV LANDMARKS OF SYRACUSE

smoulders in every lieart, is (it only " foi- treason,
strataijeni aiwl spoils." No iii.ui can Irnlv be called a
good citizen, who will not clieerrnlly do what lies in
his power mid use his best endeavors to rescue from
(jbiivion the fast <lecaying evidences of a past age. It
thrills the heart of evei-y true lov(M" of his country to
call to mind the efforts used and the results attained
during the last decade, in tlie many centennial cele-
brations whicdi have been held all over our land —
patriotic, civic and jxTsomil in (diaracter, yet all of a
somewhat, though xaried, historical nature.

We, of this county, stand on the threshold of the
second c(Mitury of our civil existenc*^ as an integral
poi'tion of the great Empire Sta,te. The rt'sidents of
and actoi-s in the eaidier period of our history have all
passed away. Here and there may occasionally be
seen a i)ati"iarch nonagenai'ian or octogenarian, but
"like angels' visits, they are few and far between."
If found, their memories are so clonded — their descrip-
tive powers so weakenetl, oi- their bacdvwai'd vision so
hazy, that bnt little rtdiable infoi-mation can be
gleaned fiom t hem. Well inay we ask in the language
of Scripture, — '' The fathers — where are they? and the
prophets — do they li\'e forever V "

This geogi-apliical section is i-icdi in archaeological
treasui't's, ami the explorer will be amply rewarded for
his labors if he will work diligently in the rubbish of
the past. Many of our Indian historical ti-aditii

ions

INTRODUCTION IX

ante-date the birth of our county, and have been
preserved and handed down to posterity through the
indefatigable efforts and jjerseverance of our well
known and justly styled authentic writer and histori-
ographer, Joshua V. H. Clark.

Imbued with the same spirit, the writer and com-
piler of this volume has endeavored to place before the
reader the results of his investigation, so far as our own
immediate niunicij)al locality is concerned, covering
the period of our babyhood as a village and our more
mature years as a populous city, embracing a period
of over half a century of our rural and city life.
Existing landmarks have been visited — -individuals
have been consulted — records have been searched —
musty and time-worn documents havf been examined,
and every authority, writteji or verbal, has been sought
whereby information could be obtained, or any data
or incident, connectedwiththe object sought, procured,
regardless of expenditure of time or means in the
pursuit of the knowledge necessary to make the work
a faithful record of the object described.

Many local landmarks, whether now existing or
those passed away, have been minutely and accurately
described, and many relics historical or otherwise
which have been preserved or destroyed by the tooth
of time, have been resurrected from the past and
placed in the historic archives, where the historian of
the future can have ready access to them.

X EARLY LANDMARKS OF SYRACUSE

The enterprise has heen a laudable one — we trust
that aside from the pleasure experienced in compila-
tion, the pecuniary recompense will be adequate for

tlie undertakinjj'.

George J. Gardner.

S}/7rirusr\ X. V., JaniKinj, 1S!I4.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
First Mayor of Syracuse. — Harvey Baldwin — His home
was the centre of fashionable society — His family was
one of the most noted socially between New York
and Chicago — One of the early settlers in Syracuse—
His celebrated "hanging garden speech," in which
he prophesied the future greatness of the city of Syra-
cuse— His public services — His ideas upon the use
of tobacco as expressed in his will . 19-29

CHAPTER n
A Famous Coffee House.— The Welch Coffee House,
afterwards known as Cook's Coffee House, acquired
an excellent reputation, and it was as well known
throughout the country as an eating house, as was the
Syracuse Hovise, which had a national reputation —
Excellent twenty -live cent dinners — A meeting jalace
for every professional and business man in the city —
"Counselor" Orcutt — Commodore Vanderbilt's visit —
Charles Dickens the first guest — The Benin sisters,
two reigning actresses in those days 30-41

CHAPTER in
An Early House of God. — The most historic ecclesias-
tical landmark now remaining in Syracuse— It was
built by the St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church in

(xi)

Xll EAKLV l.ANDMARKS OF SYRACUSE

1826 — Sold to ihe St. Mary's Eoinaii Catholic Church
in 1842 — Abandoned in 1885, when the new St. Mary's
church edifice was dedicated — The building originally
stood on tlie triangular lot, formed by the intersection
of Warren, East Genesee and Washington streets 42-51

CHAPTER IV
Money of Early Days. — In those days few men in Syra-
cuse were worth $10,000 — Mexican and Spanish
silver, but not mucli English monej^— Safety Fund
bank notes — Sliinplasters issued by the mei-chants —
Many counterfeits — Tliompson's Bank Note Detector
— The plan of Thomas S. Truair, Deputy City Treasurer,
to make small change in 1862 — Great scarcity of frac
tional money — Postal currency issued by the Govern-
ment in 1862 — Resumption of specie payment in 1879. . - 52-57

CHAPTER V
The Three Earliest Banks. — Onondaga County Bank,
chartered in 1880 — Bank of Salina, chartered in 1832 —
Bank of Syracuse, chartered in 1839 — The Safety Fund
System, authorized in 1829 — The Free Bank System,
established in 1838— Tlie officers of those early banks
were men of national reputation — The banks were
ably and successfully managed — Political influence —
Repudiation by many states of their obligations — Bank
stock in great demand . - 58-65

CHAPTER VI
The Syracuse Academy. — A celebrated school of learn
ing in the earlj- days — Incorporated in 1835 — Closed
in 1845 — Fostered by Harvey Baldwin, Oliver Teall
and Aaron Burt — Building erected in the eastern
section of Syracuse (in Lodi) on East Fayette street,
just east of Crouse avenue — Its principals were Mr.

CONTENTS Xlll

Kellogg, Oreii Root and Joseph A. Allen — Many
children of the early settlers were graduated, and
afterwards became prominent men and cultured
women 66-72

CHAPTER VII
The Recruiting Station. — The first stone building
erected in the village of Syracuse — Judge James Webb
built it in 1824 — His son-in-law, Col. George T. M.
Davis, became tlie father in-law of George Francis
Train — Among the West Point graduates in charge
of the Recruiting station were Gen. John C. Robinson,
Gen. Christoplier C. Auger, General Russell and
Col. Kirby Smith — The building has been used as a
dye house since 1851-'52 — Destroyed by fire 1893 —
Judge Webb's two daughters were the belles of Onon-
daga Hill 73-80

■ CHAPTER VIII
The Old Alvord Building. — The first brick building
in the ]iresent limits of Syracuse — Built in 1808 by the
father and uncle of Ex-Lieut-Gov. Thomas G. Alvord
— Real estate values in Salina at that time — Gen. Enos
D. Hopping, brother-in-law of Dean Richmond —
Prominent men who occupied that old landmark-
Gen. Henry A. Barnum taught school there when a
young man — Exchange street was once a busy thor-
oughfare— Manner of doing business in those early
days— The farmer's sleigh; the canal boat and the
plank road 81-87

CHAPTER IX
A Foremost Journalist. — Vivus W. Smith — His home
was the meeting place for political consultations — On
friendly terms with Horace Greeley, Thurlow Weed

XIV EARLY T.AXDMAKKS OF SYRACUSE

and William H. Seward, tlic great newspaper men —
The residence of Gen. Henry W. Slocuni — The
"Sj'racuse Journal"— Yearly tours of tlie great
political leaders — Ec(;entricities of Greeley — The
' early home of Thurlow Weed — The first paper to es-
tablish the local column — Weed originated the short
paragrapii in journalism — Greeley effected the elab-
orate editorial and originated the "em" dash at the
commencement of each paragraph 88-95

CHAPTER X
The City Boarding House. — Known as the Dana House,
built by Deacon Daniel Dana, northwestern corner of
West Genesee and North Clinton streets — The commis-
sion firm of D. & M. Dana, whose principal competitor
was Joseph Slocum, father-in-law of Russell Sage —
The building was considered a large and handsome
one in its day — A very fashionable boarding house.-- 96-102

CHAPTER XT

The Weigh -Lock House. — Ei-ected at the foot of JIarket
street in 1850 — Contract price and the contractors —
Volume of merchandise transported over the canal in
1824, contrasted with tliat of 18()S, the best year —
Location of the former Canal Collector's office — The
old canal basin and the old Market Hall — Great ser-
vices rendered by Onondaga in constructing the
canal — Manner of weigiiing the boats and their cargoes
— A dry dock for repairing the boats — The coach,
the packet and the car 103- IfJ

CHAPTER XH

Chexky's Reminiscences. — Pei-sonal recollections of Tim-
othy C. Cheney as compiled by Parish B. Johnson —
Published in pamphlet form in 1857 — Syracuse in 1824

CONTENTS XV

— Progress of tlie village — Mr. Cheney was a con-
tractor in the early days, and he was intimately con-
nected with the business and history of the village and
city — The occupations and characteristics of the early
men — Dates wlien the early buildings were erected —
Brief sketches and anecdotes — A valuable liistory 113-213

CHAPTER XTIT
First Presbyterian Church. — The original site was on
the northwestern corner of South Salina and Fayette
streets— Dedicated Jiumary, 1826— Dr. John W.
Adams, the tirsf pastor — The present church was dedi-
cated November 20. 1850— The Rev. Charles McHarg,
Dr. Samuel B. Cnntield, Dr. Nelson Millard and Dr.
George B. Spalding 213-222

CHAPTER XIV
The Old State Arsenal.— Erected in Onondaga Hollow
(Valley) in 1810— Authorized by act of Legislature in
1808— One of the most important military posts in New
York State— Abandoned soon after the war of 1812—
The Mickles' Furnace for casting shot and shell for
the Government— The celebrated order of Secretary
of War Armstrong for sending an armed vessel from
Oswego to Onondaga Valley— The ai-senal is fast
mouldering into decay— The grave of Captain Benja-
min Branch in Onondaga Hollow - 223-228

CHAPTER XV
The Onondaga Academy. — Intended as a rival of Ham
ilton College— Founded in 1813 by the Rev. Caleb
Alexander, who obtained the charter for Hamilton
College— The subscription paper and the cost of the
institution — The twenty-two charter trustees— The
Lancastrian system of ^education— Passed over to the

XVI EAKLV LANDMARKS OF SYRACUSE

Presbytery of Onondaga — In 1866 the Academy was
transferred to the Onondaga Free School District —
The men who were principals of that famous academy
— The many trials and discouragements — It ranks
to-day among the best academies in the State.. 229-240

CHAPTER XVI
FiiisT Settler in this County. — Ephraim Webster, a
very remarkable man— Tlie Leather-Stocking of Onon-
daga and the hero of Cooper's Indian tales — His father's
faniil}' — Served in the Revolutionarj^ army — Disap-
pointed in love — Settled in Onondaga Hollow (Valley)
in 1786 — Webster's Camp — The first Supervisor from
the town of Onondaga in 1798 — His other jjublic offices
— Higidy esteemed by the Onondaga Indians and by the
early settlers — Given a mile square of land and after-
wards 800 acres — His unhappy married life — Died at
Tonawanda Creek, October 10, 1824 — His grave at
Alabama Centre in Genesee county 241-257

CHAPTER XVll
A Celebrated Botanic Infirmary. — Dr. Cyrus Tiiom
son's eccentric career in Geddes — Son of Samuel
Thomson, the foxinder of the Tiiomsonian system of
medicine — Frecjuently arrested and lined — Usual pre-
scriptions were lobelia, hot drops No. (i, and sweating
— Reputation extended throughout the entire State —
First stone pillars in Syracuse — Literary effusions
with |)lenty of poetry — Succeeded in getting many
patients and in making much money 258-270

CHAPTER XVIII
Tjik Jerry Rescue. — The Fugitive Slave Law of ISoO—
Excitement in Syracuse — Jerry was arrested October
1, 1851. and taken before tlie United States Conimis-

CONTENTS XVn

sioner — People aroused by the ringing of cliurcli bells
— Trial of Jerry— Citizens bemnie indignant— Vigilance
committee preparing for action — The rescuing party
besieged the police ofltice — Jerry is rescued and taken in
triumph through the crowd — A fine moral feeling in
lluenced the leaders of the rescuing party — An im-
portant event in our National history 271-295

CHAPTER XIX
Merchants in Exchange Street. — The old Williams
building erected in 1828 — SoQie of Salina's early mer-
chants— Williams & Co., Williams & Allen, Richmond,
Marsh & Clark— The Lynch brotliers— Thomas McCar-
thy, father of State Senator Dennis McCarthy — Dean
Richmond, who became one of the leading railroad
presidents in the country — Bennett & Childs — The
disastrous fire of 1856 — Methods of doing business in
the early days — A salt syndicate that came near
wrecking the three early banks — Forming a great
railroad company — "Wild cat" money and specula-
tions 296-302

CHAPTER XX
The Salt Industry. — The old State building in Salina—
The first Superintendent of tlie Onondaga Salt Springs
was appointed in 1797 — A list of all the Salt Superin-
tendents— The early manufacturers of salt were squat
ters — Salt Point consisted formerly of marshy lands
and was very unhealtliy — Earl}^ settlers were Revolu-
tionary soldiers or sons of Revolutionary sires — Trans-
portation through the inland lakes and rivers — The
canal and batteaux — The first settlers obtained the
salt water by dipping it from sliallow pits — Improve-
ments made in this great industry 803-810

XVlil EARLY LANDMARKS OF SVKACUSE

CHAPTER XXI
The Foundkr ok Syracuse. — Joshua Foruian — Settled at
Onondaga Hollow in 1800 — Elected aij Assemblyman
in 1807 on the "Canal Ticket" — His forcible and elo-
quent speech in the House — His address to Governor
Clinton at the grand canal celebration, November 1,
1825 — His public spirit and great services to Syracuse
— His reception as the founder of the city by the citi-
zens in 1831 — His home in New Jersey and afterwai'ds
in North Carolina — The character of this distin,i;:uishp(l
man — His monument in Oakwood cemetery ;31 1-832

CHAPTER XXII

The Legend of Hiawatha. — An Onondaga Tradition —
The legend as publislied in "(Clark's Onondaga" —
The Council Fire of the Five Nations was lield near
Syracuse — Longfellow's Hiawatha credited to School
craft, who credited his information to two Onondaga
Indian Chiefs — Joshua V. H. Clark's published letter,
showing that Schoolcraft committed plagiarism — An
earlier legend of the Iroquois confederation as told by
Ephraim Webster 333-369

CHAPTER XXIII
Short History of Syracuse. — The old loun of Salina,
containing the villages of S\'racuse, Salina and Geddes
— Onondaga countj', the original Military Tract — Dates
when the towns and villages and county were incor-
porated— List of the village and city ofticers of Syra-
cuse 370-3i)3

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGES
19

Home of Harvey Baldwin .

Harvey Baldwin ^^

30
34

Cook's Coffee House

John L. Cook

The old St. Paul's church 42

The old St. Mary's church 48

Shinplaster of Thomas S. Truair.

Onondaga County Bank Note

Bank of Salina Note

Bank of Syracuse Note -
Recruiting Station.

53
58
60
62
73

Alvord Building .81

Home of Vivus W. Smith -

VivusW. Smith •

City Boarding House

Weigh-Lock House --

Map of Syracuse in 1834 _ -

First Presbyterian Church '^^'^

Dr. John W. Adams

State Arsenal

Onondaga Academy . -

Botanic Infirmary in 1844 258

Botanic Infirmary - -

Jerry Rescue Block

Williams Building.-

The old State Salt Building

Joshua Forman

88

92

96

103

113

^16
223
329

264

.271

296

30:!
311

THE HOMK OF HARVEY liALDWIN.— From a recent phototrriiph.

CHAPTER I

THE FIRST MAYOR OF SYRACUSE

The large old-fashioned wooden dwelling on the
northwesterly corner of West Onondaga and West
streets, now occupied by the widow of George Ever-
son, was once the centre of the most fashionable
society in this city, being occupied by one of the
most noted families between New York and Chicago.
Whenever a distinguished man visited this city in
the early days, and many men of national reputation
visited Syracuse, the hospitable owner of that man-
sion, Harvey Baldwin, was chosen as by natural
right to be the host and entertainer. Mr. Baldwin
was a gentleman of rare intelligence, courtesy and
refinement; and he was distinguished for his enter-
prise, public spirit, zeal and benevolence in good
Avorks. His family was a large one, consisting of
his accomplished and beautiful wife, the daughter of
Col. William I. Dodge, and several children, the
daughters being remarkably beautiful and the belles
of the city. The children were highly educated;

(ID)

20 THE FIRST MAYOR OF SYRACUSE

and as the daughters were able to play on different
musical instruments and all the children could sing-
admirably, the many guests were accorded a delight- Ij
ful entertainment. The grounds which surrounded
that old homestead, consisting of several acres, were '!
beautified by fine gardens and driveways, with sev-
eral high mounds nicely turfed, and containing I
many natural forest trees. They were so large as to
afford abundant room for picnics and other festival ;
gatherings, besides containing a park where several
deer roamed at their pleasure. j
The property was sold March 9, 1830, by David S. I
Colvin to Horace White, a prominent banker, for
$800, and it is described as ' 'commencing where the
road leading towards the Stone Mill (now known as
West street) joins the Cinder road" (now known as ,
West Onondaga street). Mr. White built his resi- |
dence on the property ; but as he considered that it
was too far into the country and away from his ofiice
he sold it in 1841 to James L. Voorhees, formerly the
owner of the Empire House block, for $4,000, the j
deed being acknowledged January 12, 1842. Mr. /
Voorhees sold the property to Harvey Baldwin for .
$5,000, May 18, 1844. Mr. Baldwin enlarged the
house and greatly improved the grounds. And he |
continued to live there till his death, August 22, 1863,
at the age of OT years. He was buried in his family j
vault in Rose Hill cemetery, the first cemetery vault

EARLY LIFE OF HARVE\ BALDWIN 21

built in this city, wliicli was erected in 1844. His
second wife, Ann Sarali Dodge, who was born Sep-
tember 28, 1810, and died December 20, 1886, is also
buried there. His first wife was the daughter of
James Geddes, the founder of the village of Geddes.
Harvey Baldwin was the second son of Dr. Jonas
C. Baldwin, a wealthy gentleman who founded the
village of Baldwinsville and who was the second son
of Captain Samuel Baldwin, a soldier in the revolu-
tionary war. According to the inscription on the
family vault, Harvey was born in 1796. He enlisted
in the war of 1812, During the winter of 1816, which
is memorable throughout the country as ' ' the cold
year," he was adopted by the Oneida Indians, many
of whom were provided for that winter by his father,
and given the name of " Cohongoronto," signifying
a boat having a sharp prow constructed for the navi-
gation of rapid waters, and intended as emblematical
of the profession of law, in the study of which he
was then engaged. Tlie old homestead on the old
Cinder road has been the scene of many entertain-
ments given to the Indians by Cohongoronto. Mr.
Baldwin studied law in the office of Elisha Williams
and Judg-^ Miller of Oneida county and of Thaddeus
M. Wood of Onondaga Valley. He was admitted to
the bar February 28, 1820. He practiced law at
Onondaga Valley till 1826, when, in company with
his law partner, Schuyler Strong, he removed to

22 THE FIRST MAYOR OF SYRACUSE

Syracuse, opening an office in the east wing of the
Syracuse House. The remarkable foresight which
distinguished Mr. Baklwin is shown in this removal
from Onondaga Valley, at that time considered of
far more importance than the village of Syracuse.
But the grand canal celebration, given in honor of
Governor Clinton and suite on their first passage
down the canal, Nov. 1, 1825, convinced the young
man that Syracuse was destined to become the princi-
pal city. And he was soon followed by Elias W.
Leavenworth, B. Davis Noxon, James R. Lawrence
and other men prominent among the early settlers,
some of whom came with the removal of the Court
House in 1829.

The event in Harvey Baldwin's life which will
always keep his memory green was his celebrated
"hanging-garden speech," which made him the first
mayor of Syracuse. This speech — the most sanguine,
hopeful, confident, regarding the future of Syracuse
that was ever delivered — subjected its author to un-
bounded ridicule and caused him to be looked upon
as a fool. But subsequent events have proven that
the man, who had traveled extensively through
Europe and this country, was wiser than his day and
generation. The speech was delivered in 1840, when
Syracuse had so wonderfully increased in size and
population that the subject of securing for it a city
charter began seriously to be discussed. There was

THE "HANGING-GARDEX SPEECH" 23

considerable difference of opinion among the inhabi-
tants as to the extent of territory that shouhl be
embraced. Some were for including the whole origi-
nal Salt Springs Reservation, while others advocated
only the village of Syracuse. The matter finally
resulted in the grant of a charter in 1848 including
the villages of Syracuse and Salina, with the name
of Syracuse. In the following year the census showed
that the city's population was 16,000.

An attempt was made when Mr. Baldwin was the
Democratic candidate for Congress to stem this tide
of ridicule by saying: "The description of the destiny
of Syracuse, whether reality or vision, is a proud
dream. To some extent it may be visionary ; but it
is no more visionary than would have been twenty
years ago a description of Syracuse as she now really
is. He came here when there were but five or six
hundred inhabitants settled down in the midst of a
swam]3."- The speech is in part as follows :

' ' Were we permitted to indulge in visions of the
future, I would present a view of our village or city,
as it is to apj)ear hereafter, when all of us who are
now on the busy stage of life shall be slumbering with
our fathers. It is a remarkable fact that everybody
away from our village, foreign travelers and all, pre-
dict for us a higher destiny than we claim for our-
selves. It is universally conceded that we are to
become the great inland town of the State, and next

24 THE FIRST MAYOR OF SYRACUSE

in size and importance to New York and Buffalo —
that we are to go on by rapid strides, increasing in
population, until Ave shall number from 100,000 to
200,000. If past experience will throw any light' upon
the subject, then may we fairly claim that the short
space of fifty years will give us a population of more
than 100,000 souls. Let us, sir, for a moment con-
template the city of Syracuse as she will then appear.
Immense structures of compact buildings will in every
direction cover this delightful plain, and every hill,
knoll and swell of ground be occupied by some stately
mansion or neat cottage.

' ' All bordering territory will have been brought
into a high and perfect state of cultivation, and our
beautiful lake, on all its beautiful shores and borders,
will present a view of one continuous villa, ornamented
with its shady groves and hanging gardens, and con-
nected by a wide and splendid avenue that shall
encircle its entire waters, and furnish a delightful
drive to the gay and prosperous citizens of tlie town,
who will, toward the close of each summer's day,
throng it for pleasure, relaxation or the improvement
of health. In every salt manufactory that studs its
shores will be seen the pondei'ous steam engine,
breathing forth its heated vaj^or, and by the same
power drawing rich treasure from the bowels of the
earth, and converting it into an article indispensable
to the human family ; while it drives a thousand

^

THE "hanging-garden SPEECH" 25

wheels and propels cotton, woolen and flouring mills,
and all tlie varied macliinery known to man or that
may be by man's ingenuity designed and adopted to
his necessities and wants.

" Then, too, will be seen the magnificent steamers
of the ocean and of our inland seas arriving and
departing or lying at our extended wharves, receiv-
ing and discharging their heavy and well assorted
cargoes ; and everywhere will be heard the hum of
its busy, thrifty and happy jDeople. On yonder hill
will be seen the gilded dome of the stately and
massive capitol ; and i^innacles and spires towering
from the plain in every direction, pointing their
tall shafts towards heaven, as emblems of those
who worshij) beneath. What a beautiful view will
here burst upon the delighted traveler as he treads
the lofty deck of the ocean or lake steamer just
emerging from the slackened water and deepened
channel of the Oswego into our beautiful lake, or as
he is whirled with locomotive power and speed along
the numerous railways that on the east and west,
the north and south, approach the town. The ex-
tended city, with its hundred spires, pinnacles and
domes, its ascending smoke, vapor and dust, lies before
him. On the east and west, the sloping hills, which,
by an easy and gentle gradation from the south, drop
here to the level of the valley, are studded with
splendid mansions and neat cottages ; and southward

2G THE FIRST MAVOR OF SYRACUSE

still, rising in magnificent gradation, are seen in the
dim distance the blue and folding hills of Onondaga,
Lafayette and Pompey, whose sides and summits are
chequered by neat farms, carved out from the forest,
and these again chequered and colored by all the
various crops of the husbandman, with innumerable
flocks and herds feeding upon their green and rich
pastures, or basking in the genial rays of the sun that
warms its fertile soil — while at the north our beautiful
lake lies like a gem in the laj) of the extended valley,
which, unbroken, sweeps away towards the mighty
Ontario, whose waters wash the northern shores of
our Republic, and whose centre channel defines our
northern boundary,

"In short, sir, everything is clustered here calcu-
lated to invite and gladden the heart of man — every-
thing which the lover of the world, the man of pleas-
ure or business, the Christian, the 2)liilanthropist or
the admirer of nature can desire, and which, collec-
tively, make up the beautiful landscape. Deem me
not extravagant, sir. I speak of things that are and
are to be. This is not a fancy sketch, but a slight
pencilling, an imperfect and dim shadowing forth of
the future."

It is needless to say that Mr. Baldwin advocated
the measure — indeed, he made the motion — to include
not onlyGeddes and Liverpool, but the entire reser-
vation. And his unbounded faith in the future

'1

HIS PUBLIC SERVICES 27

prosperity of the town took a substantial form. He
purchased property in every par^ of the city ; so that a
railroad could not pass through the city nor a manu-
facturing concern locate here without coming to him
for the purchase of land. And he was a strong
public spirited citizen. He took a prominent and
active part in the construction of jjlank roads and
bridges and in the organization of every railroad con-
structed in the early days. The very first winter that
he came to Syracuse he organized a Mechanics'
Library ; he started a Lyceum ; he Avas one of the
originators of an Association Library ; he contrib-
uted aid liberally to the building of every church in
the city ; he was one of the fathers of the State Agri-
cultural Society, the sole founder of the Onondaga
County Agricultural Society and one of the origin-
ators of the present common school system ; a fast
friend of the free school system, and active in the in-
ternal improvement of both the city and the county ;
and acting in all merely as a private citizen. He
brought into the county and distributed a great variety
of foreign and other valuable seed, and was the first
to introduce the Durham and Berkshire stock and
good breeds of sheep. He was at one time Chief of
the old Volunteer Fire Department, He was the
counsel and legal adviser in the organization of the
old Onondaga County Bank, the first institution of
the kind in the county, and continued its attorney

28 THE FIRST MAYOR OF SYRACUSE

for many years. He was appointed not only the
agent, but the legal adviser of the Syracuse Company,
which formerly owned almost all of Syracuse. He
was the principal originator and the lirst President of
the Syracuse Savings Institution, which was the first
of the kind in this section of the State.

The bar of Onondaga County paid a fitting tribute
to his memory at the time of his death, saying that
" the high and extensive culture, polished manners,
great integrity and persuasive eloquence which he
brought to the performance of his professional duties,
rendered him justly eminent among the lawyers of
this county." The Common Council also passed reso-
lutions, saying : "Mr. Baldwin has been foremost
in promoting all measures of public utility, and in
advancing by his personal efforts and by pecuniary
sacrifices the interests of the community in which he
lived."

The last will of Harvey Baldwin, dated May 27,
1863, contains this eccentric clause : "And regarding
the use of tobacco in any form whatever as an un-
gentlemanly, filthy and pernicious practice, and
wishing to express my dislike and abhorrence of it, I
hereby declare that any of my children who shall
offend in the premises after the publication of this,
my last will and testament, and before the distribu-
tion and final settlement of my estate, shall have his
or her share as the case may be, charged with the sum

HIS DESCENDANTS 29

of $1,000, to be deducted from such share or shares,
and the amount thereof shall be distributed equally
among the surviving children who shall not so offend."
When Mr. Baldwin died his estate possessed consider-
able property in Syracuse and Onondaga county,
besides very large tracts of land in Louisiana and
Texas.

An account of the life of Harvey Baldwin would
be incomplete without some mention being made of
his accomplished children. At the time of his death
his minor children were Cora, Grace, Sarah, Burnet
T., and Irving D. His other children who were liv-
ing at that time were Laura, who married Washing-
ton Morton, of New York, and whose wedding was
the first one in this city to which tickets of admission
were issued — this being made necessary on account
of the numerous friends of the family ; Harvey ;
Julia ; and Mary, who married Edward Renshaw
Jones, a wealthy gentleman of New York city, now
deceased. The daughters were considered the most
beautiful and accomplished young ladies in the city,
and they were the recipients of much favorable atten-
tion in the best social circles of Europe, to which their
father's social standing admitted them. The surviv-
ing children are living in or near New York city.

CHAPTER 11

A FAMOUS COFFEE HOUSE

The coffee house which formerly stood on the cor-
ner of Washington and Warren streets, where the Van-
derbilt House now stands, was a very famous eating
house in its day, being favorably known throughout
the entire State and exceedingly popular with the
people who then resided in Syracuse. The erection
of the building, as a two-story wooden dwelling house,
was begun in 1824 by Gen. Jonas Mann, who moved
in his family the next season and during the summer
finished the work. After a couple of years the
house ^vas occupied by Col, Elijah Phillips, who was
for many years agent of the great line of stages of
Thorpe & Sprague from Albany to Buffalo. The wife
of Col. Phillips was the daughter of Asa Danforth,
jr., the first white child born in Onondaga county
and the mother of Mrs. Peter Cutwater, who was the
mother-in-law of Andrew D. White, Ex-President of
Cornell University.

In later years the place was rented by Andrew

(30)

f^^^p "''-^*'^^ ^'^^^ ^^

i

J«5

COOK'S COFFEE HOUSE.-From an old stereoscopic view.

/

A GREAT RIOT 31

Leinliart as a German tavern and boarding house.
The place Avas afterwards run as a saloon by a Ger-
man named Seigle. The bar was made very attrac-
tive by means of mirrors and bird cages. And among
the many birds there was an old and wicked parrot,
well informed in bar-room etiquette, who would call
in the most deliberate manner for the different kinds
of drinks. The place was fitted up in a better style
than was usual for those days, and it was a popular
place of resort, especially among the Germans. But
that which distinguished it most was in being the
scene of one of the greatest riots that ever occurred in
the village of Syracuse.

On the night of the first of January, IH-i-t, while a
New Year's ball was in progress in that house, several
roughs from Salt Point, as Salina was then called,
entered the bar room. William Blake, who had been
celebrating the day beyond his powers of endurance,
smashed his glass on the bar. This was in accordance
with a prearranged plan, for the Salt Pointers were
on mischief bent. A war of words ensued with the
woman who was dispensing the drinks. The woman,
against whom some insulting remark had been made,
called for assistance. Her husband, Mr. Seigle, there-
upon promptly shot, but did not kill Blake. Then
the fight became terrific, for in those days the boys,
especially the Salt Pointers, were fighters. Several
of tiie participants were shot. It was fortunate that

62 A FAMOUS COFFEE HOUSE

Captain Timothy H.Teall's cadets, whose quarters were
in the Granger Block, directly opposite, had just re-
turned from their drill. Lieutenant William B. Olm-
sted called together the departing members of the
Syracuse Cadets, and, surrounding the house, cap-
tured Seigle and several others and marched their
prisoners to the old jail. When the cadets had de-
parted the mob ransacked the house and made a bon-
fire of all the furniture. The cadets returned in time
to save the building from being burned. The prison-
ers were tried the next day before Major William A.
Cook, Justice of the Peace, and they were acquitted.
Several of those who attacked the house were put
under bonds to keep the peace. The German land-
lord, besides having his furniture totall}^ demolished,
mourned the loss of 8300, which had been stolen from
him. And after that he had no peace. He retired
early every night, locked himself securely in, and
stationed a guard at his door. He was glad to sell
out his business the following April to Eliphalet
Welch; and then he departed for Milwaukee.

Mr. Welch had formerly been associated with
George Babcock, his nephew, in conducting a tem-
perance restaurant, called the Syracuse Lunch, in
the basement of the wooden building which was
located where the Onondaga County Savings Bank
building is now. Mr. Babcock had purchased that
lunching place from Elisha Ford, June 20, 1839; and

THE WELCH COFFEE HOUSE 33

considerable money had been made there, the trade
coming mostly from the Erie canal packet boats which
landed near by. It was thought at that time that
Mr. Welch had made a great mistake in moving to
the corner of Warren and Railroad streets, as that
location was considered too far removed from the
centre of trade. But Mr. Welch enlarged and im-
proved the building and made it a very desirable re-
sort for ladies and gentlemen. Welch's Coffee House,
as the place was called, soon acquired an excellent
reputation, and it was as well known throughout the
country as an eating house as was the old Syracuse
House, which had a national reputation. In those
days the depot stood in the centre of the street be-
tween Salina and Warren streets.

Mr. Welch was given a key to a door on the eastern
side of the depot, in consideration of his allowing an
extra track, which passed from a switch at Salina
street around the south side of the depot, to be placed
in front of his coffee house, there joining the main
track. In this way he was enabled to secure some of
the passengers for his eating house.

Much of the success of Welch's coffee house was
due to Mrs. Welch, who was an excellent pastry cook,
and to George Babcock, who Avas an excellent mana-
ger. But, on account of his wife's failing health,
Mr. Welch sold out his business, April 1, 1851, to
John L. Cook and Emilus Gay, and retired to his

34 A FAMOUS COFFEE HOUSE

farm of thirteen acres, located about wliere Cortland
avenue enters South Salina street. He died Septem-
ber 10, 18T4, at the age of 78, and is remembered for
his gentlemanly manners and his kindhearted, gen-
erous dispo^tion. His surviving children are Mrs.
Laurence W. Myers and Mrs. George H. Hosmer.
Elisha Ford, aged S5 years, and George Babcock,
aged 80 years, are still living. Cook & Gay con-
tinued the place for one year, and then Mr. Babcock
bought out Mr. Gay's interest, the firm continuing as
Cook & Babcock for three years. During that time
the business was so prosperous that the firm made a
yearly net profit of $7,000 above living expenses. Mr.
Babcock then sold out his interest to Mr. Cook, who
took into partnership his sons, John L., jr., and
Austin D., the place being then known as Cook &
Sons' Coifee House.

There is not a resident of this city, who lived here
a quarter of a century ago, who does not entertain
pleasant recollections of Cook's Coffee House. It was,
indeed, a famous eating house. So popular had the
place become, that the little two-story wooden build-
ing became altogether too small for the many cus-
tomers, and an additional building was added on Rail-
road street, which was reserved exclusively for ladies,
and an extension was made on Warren street for the
kitchen. There was also a large open shed built on
Warren street to accommodate the horses of the farm-

\

JOHN L. COOK.

THE DINING ROOM 35

ers. The main entrance was on Railroad street with
a side entrance on Warren street. The front part of
the room was reserved as a meeting place ; and here
could be found, during some parts of the day, every
professional and business man in the city. Then came
the bar, which extended across the room, parallel
with Railroad street. Beyond that was the dining
room. A large table, extending east and west, was
surrounded by small tables, with two small private
rooms on the Warren street side. At noon time the
table was spread with an excellent twenty-five cent
dinner, each plate being ready for the customer, and
provided with a capital repast, kept warm by me .ns
of heaters, placed upon the table. It was not an un-
usual occurrence for a customer to wait for a seat to
become vacant.

In those happy days, when a man could obtain a
glass of Hersey's whiskey, which was made in Caz-
enovia and which was celebrated throughout the
country, for three cents, and a pure Havana cigar for
three cents, it was customary for each customer, upon
paying for his dinner, to receive a cigar. And in
those good old times the stores did not close till nine
or ten o'clock. It was customary during the evenings
for the merchants and their clerks, the lawyers and
other professional men, to meet at Cook's Coffee
House for a light repast, a social glass and a fragrant
cigar. Mrs. Cook, who is still living, was celebrated

36 A FAMOUS COFFEE HOUSE

for her pastry, especially lier lemon pie, which sold
for three cents. The fashionable ladies of the city
frequently took their meals in the room reserved for
them. Mr. Cook, an English gentleman of the old
school, greeted his guests with a happy remark or a
pleasant exchange of witticism, and did much by his
courteous manners to make his eating house popular,
though his success depended largely upon the excel-
lent management of his wife. Among the regular
customers was "Counselor" Orcutt, an attorney who
enjoyed the reputation of being an eccentric character.
Promptly at nine o'clock every evening, just as the
clock was striking the hour, the door would open and
the Counselor would enter the room. He was al-
ways dressed in an old-fashioned blue coat with brass
buttons, a ruffled shirt, a blue pair of pantaloons,
gaitors about his shoes and a silk hat. The bartender
would place a glass of beer upon the counter; and
"Counselor" Orcutt, with his crooked iron cane
hanging from his left arm, the glass of beer in one
hand and a stub of a cigar in the other, would walk
up and down the room, always ready for an argu-
ment, which he sustained with some ability as he was
well read, and never leaving the place till all the other
customers had departed.

In 1807 the old building was removed to its present
location, the northwestern corner of Montgomery
and Jackson streets. It was purchased by Isaac

THE VANDERBILT HOUSE 37

Manheimer and used as a grocery ; and it is now occu-
pied by his son-in-law, Moses Lichtenberg, as a gro-
cery. It was succeeded by a larger building, which,
completely covered the former site. Mr. Cook named
his hotel The Vanderbilt in honor of Commodore Van-
derbilt, in order to give it the advantage of a world-
renowned name and thus add popularity to his hotel.
The Commodore was so well pleased with this honor
that he sent Mr. Cook a fine engraving of himself,
and the picture still hangs in the office of the hotel.
The Vanderbilt House was opened March 18, 1868,
Cook & Sons being the proprietors. It was the first
hotel in the city to be furnished with parlor mantles
and grate fires. Charles Dickens was the first guest.
When he came to Syracuse March 9, 1868, to give his
readings of "The Christmas Carol" and the Bardell-
Pickwick trial, at the Wieting Hall, he was allowed
to take the corner room directly over the parlor in
order that he might have a grate fire in his room,
even though the hotel was not ready for its guests.
When Cornelius Vanderbilt, or Commodore as he was
generally called, was married Saturday morning, Au-
gust 31, 1869, at London, Canada — Miss Frank Craw-
ford being the favored lady — he stayed at the hotel
which had been named after him. The Commodore
was then 73 years old, and that was his second mar-
riage. The bridal party reached Syracuse Saturday
evening, the special car stopping in front of the hotel.

38 A FAMOUS COFFEE HOUSE

The Commodore and Ms wife liasteued to their apart-
ments, where they remained during their stay, their
meals being there served to them. But the waiters
had cause to remember the short stay, which ended
Sunday morning, as the venerable railroad king left
fifty dollars to be scattered among them.

Mr. Cook sold his hotel in 1879 to Daniel Candee,
Horace Candee and Earll B. Alvord. The place has
since been run as the Vanderbilt, and it is now one
of the leading hotels in the city. Mr. Cook died No-
vember 4, 1890, at the age of 83. He was survived
by his sons John L., jr., Austin D. and Major Abel
G. and his daughter, Mrs. Lyman B. Dickinson. His
daughter Mary Jane, who married Marsh C. Pierce,
died some years previous. His son Austin died in
March, 1891. Mr. Cook was a prominent man in his
day. He was the Democratic Alderman from the
Sixth Ward in 1858 and one of the original committee
by whom Oakwood cemetery was bought and laid
out in 1859. He was also elected Assessor.

In the old Cook Coffee House there were several
fine paintings by Sanford Thayer, a local artist of
widely recognized ability, who painted many valuable
pictures. But there was one picture which used to
hang in that famous eating house, and which now
hangs in the bar room of the Vanderbilt, that can
recall many pleasant recollections to the theatre goers
of thirty and forty years ago. A card on the picture

THE DENIN SISTERS 39

reads thus: "Compliments of R. W. Jones. This pic-
ture -hung on the wall in the old Welch Coffee House
on this site, about forty years ago." The picture
represents two women in their stage costume for "As-
modeus, or the Little Devil's Share." As there was
some resemblance in the face and hands especially,
and also in the form, of the shorter of the two figures
to Susan Denin, the picture passed as a likeness of
the Denin sisters, Susan and Kate. But the picture
was not a likeness. These Denin sisters were the
reigning actresses in those days, and they became
famous in starring throughout the United States.
They were great favorites in Syracuse, especially with
the "Salt Pointers," as the residents of Salina were
called; and they were always given an especially en-
thusiastic reception whenever they appeared in the
National Theatre, which was formerly the First Bap-
tist church, and which is now the site of the Univer-
salist church. They will be remembered as appearing
in their great play. Jack Sheppard, as well as Asmo-
deus, Romeo and Juliet, in which Susan appeared as
Romeo and Kate as Juliet, and also in Grandmother's
Pet.

The Denin sisters were fine actresses, singers and
dancers, and they were blessed with elegant figures,
which made their presence very attractive. Susan
was an unusually beautiful woman in face and figure.
She was the shorter of the two. She married Fletcher

40 A FAMOUS COFFEE HOUSE

Woodward, son of Arnold Woodward, a former pro-
minent dry goods merchant in this city. The mar-
riage was not a happy one, as Woodward was of a
jealous disposition. Susan made large sums of money
on the stage, but Fletcher was improvident. While
returning from California by steamer, Fletcher is be-
lieved to have shot an actor of whom he was jealous,
Susan nursed the actor, who died a few months after-
wards in New York; but as no one was found who
would swear against Fletcher, the murderer was never
found. Susan was afterwards divorced from her hus-
band. When she next appeared at the National
Theatre, Fletcher and some of his friends attempted
to hiss her from the stage. But there were a number
of Salt Pointers in the theatre, and they notified him
that if the hissing continued they would throw him
and his friends out of the building. It is needless to
add that the hissing ceased, for the Salt Pointers were
famous for tlieir fighting propensities. Susan thanked
her admirers for their kind protection. She is re-
membered as having resided in this city in the Wood-
ward homestead, on the southeasterly corner of Rail-
road and Clinton streets, and she was a welcomed
guest in social circles. Susan afterwards married
Captain Frank Barroll. Her daughter is now living
in Portland, Oregon, a lovely woman and the mother
of five children. Susan died in 1875 and is buried in
Indianapolis, Iiid. The picture was purchased by

A VALUED PICTURE 41

Richard W. Jones from Mr. Cook; and it formerly-
hung on the walls of the Citizens' Club, of which Mr.
Jones has been President for some years. About a
year ago Mr. Jones gave the celebrated picture to the
Vanderbilt House.

CHAPTER III

AN EARLY HOUSE OF GOD

The old, dilapidated wooden building on the north-
westerly corner of Madison and Montgomery streets
is the most historic ecclesiastical landmark now re-
maining in Syracuse. It was the first Episcopal as
well as the first Catholic church in the village of
Syracuse ; and it was the third building in this place
to be used exclusively for religious purposes. The
first religious society organized in the village was of
the Baptist denomination, the society being organ-
ized in the winter of 1819-20. The First Baptist
Church edifice was erected in 1824. The First Pres-
byterian Church edifice was built in the summer of
1825 and dedicated in January, 1826, the society hav-
ing been organized December 14, 1824. This old
building was comjDleted in 1827 for the St. Paul's
Protestant Episcopal Church, though religious ser-
vices were first held there in July, 182G. In Febru-
ary, 1842, the edifice, with all its fixtures and ap-
pointments, including the organ but excepting the

(42)

HARVEY BALDWIN.— From a rcceut photo, of an old-fashioned ambro-type.

y

^PUB

' YORK

3RARY1

>S;7giWl^^^H^^^^vll^^^.'^?p*^AM■v^J^^,■JW^^?■■■■.^^^^^,^.■^^l^■■';^

miimm

THE OLD ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.— From an old painting-.

ST. Paul's church 43

bell, was sold to the congregation of St. Mary's
Roman Catholic Church for about $600. The first
Roman Catholic Church of Syracuse was organized
December 25, 1842.

A meeting of those interested in organizing St.
Paul's Church was held May 22, 1826, in the old dis-
trict school house which stood for many years in
Church street, in the rear of the former First Baptist
meeting-house. The Rev. John McCarty presided,
and John Durnford and Samuel Wright were elected
wardens; and Amos P. Granger, Archy Kasson,
James Mann, Matthew W. Davis, Mathew Williams,
Barent Filkins, Othniel H. Williston and Jabez
Hawley were elected vestrymen. The question of
erecting a church edifice of their own had been pre-
viously discussed, the iDreliminary steps having been
taken in 1824. In 1825 The Syracuse Company gave
to this congregation the triangular lot, bounded by
Warren, East Genesee and East Washington streets,
where the Granger Block now stands, under the ex-
press agreen. @nt that a church should be built thereon.
In September of that year the frame of an edifice, 41
by 52 feet, was raised and covered in, and in the fol-
lowing July the first regular service by a missionary
began, though the building was not completed till
1827. In those early days that triangular piece of
ground was a fine little green meadow. John Durn-
ford advocated the selection of this meadow for the

44 AX EARLY HOUSE OF GOD

proposed site for the cliurcli edifice, but Arcliy Kas-
son and John Rodgers, the other members of the Site
Committee, offered an objection to the lot, saying it
was too far from the village, whose central location
was where the old red mill stood, now the location of
the High School building in West Genesee street on
the east bank of the Onondaga creek. But the Site
Committee finally coincided with Mr. Durnford in his
choice and the report was adopted.

The church edifice was a plain, unpretending build-
ing, painted white, with green blinds, clapboarded,
buttressed angles and surmounted with a square
tower, with pinnacled corners. The windows were
lancet shaped, and there were three on either side, in
front two full length and one shorter over the en-
trance, and one in the west end over the pulpit, fitted
with seven by nine plain glass. The triangular lot
was greater in its area than it now appears. The
front faced the east and between it and the apex of
the triangle was a grass plot, set with shrubbery.
The rear or west wall was within a very few feet of
the east line of Warren street, and the whole plot was
entirely surrounded with a plain picket fence. In
front of the church, at the further end of the triangle,
was located a well of superb water, the common resort
of the residents of that neighborhood. The accom-
panying illustration is from a picture painted and
given to the church by Miss F. L. Dickinson ; and the

A PARISH LIBRARY 45

painting may now be found in the vestry room of the
present St, Paiil's Cathedral.

The Rev. John McCarty, who was the first clergy-
man of St. Paul's church, resigned in the latter part
of 1826 from his pastoral charge of the parish and also
from the one at Onondaga Hill ; and he was succeeded
in the following December by the Rev. William Bar-
low, who became the first resident missionary of the
church in the village of Syracuse. Mr. Barlow was an
uncle of the members of the Barlow family, all at that
time living here and occupying prominent positions in
society. He continued his services until the autumn
of 1828. From this period until 1830, a space of more
than a year and a half, the parish was left without a
rector. The Rev. Palmer Dyer of Hartford, Conn.,
entered upon the rectorship of this church May 1, 1830.
One of his first acts was the establishing of a jjarish
library, which was the first public library established
in the village. Its volumes from some cause eventu-
ally became scattered and the remnant was absorbed
either by purchase or gifts in the library of the Syra-
cuse Academy. This parish library did much towards
building u]3 a church sentiment and in allaying a
strong sectarian opposition. In those early days,
when the common people were more unenlightened
than they are to-day, there was a considerable feeling
against the Episcopal church, which was looked upon
as resembling the Catholic church, against which

46 AX EARLY HOUSE OF GOD

there was an intense, bitter feeling. It will be re-
membered by the older citizens that in the winter of
1847-48, Dennis McCarthy, who afterwards became
distinguished as State Senator, and Dr. James Foran,
a finely educated and leading physician, gave lectures
twice a week on the doctrines of the Catholic church
in the public hall, which was built on the triangular
lot where the Granger Block now stands after St.
Paul's church was removed. Those lectures were of
the nature of debates, as they were participated in by
representatives of the Protestant religion, especially
of the Methodist denomination. But happily, through
the influence of education, that sectarian prejudice is
now greatly removed.

In 1833, Mr. Dyer resigned, and the parish from
that time until May, 1835, except for a short period
of about six months, when the Rev. Richard Salmon
officiated, was without a resident rector. Mr. Dyer
was succeeded by the Rev. John Gregg, who officiated
for about six months. In October, 1835, the vestry
resolved to recall the Rev. William Barlow, who,
however, declined the call. The Rev. Francis Thomas
Todrig became rector in December, 1835, and on the
28th of May following, was instituted according to
the forms laid down in the prayer book. This is the
first and only instance of the institution of a rector
in this manner, in this parish, from its organization
till the occasion of the Rev. Dr. Henry Gregory in

ST. MARY'S CHURCH 47

1840. These two clergymen, Messrs. Toclrig and Gre-
gory, were the only ones thus instituted as rectors in
St. Paul's church in this city. Mr. Todrig had for-
merly been a member of the Roman Catholic church.
He resigned in July, 183G, and from that date till De-
cember of the same year, the parish was again
vacant. The Rev. Clement M. Butler accepted the
charge December 4, 1836, and continued to officiate
till May, 1838. He was succeeded, July 15, 1838, by
the Rev. John B. Gallagher, who resigned November
1, 1840.

In March, 1840, the first definite action relative
to a change of location of St. Paul's Church edifice
was had. The Rev. Dr. Henry Gregory became rector
December 1, 1840, and continued as such for nearly
eight years, when he became rector of St. James
Church in this city, in order that he might carry out
his ideas on free pews in churches. The church lot
was sold March 8, 1841, at auction, by order of the
Court of Chancery, to Daniel Elliott, Joseph I. Brad-
ley and Samuel Larned for $8,000; and the new lot,
corner of Warren and Fayette streets, where the
Government building now stands, was purchased for
$3,500. The last sermon preached in the old edifice
previous to its removal, was on April 10, 1842,
by the Rev. Henry Gregory, D. D., an eloquent,
able and highly esteemed gentleman. The church edi-
fice now passed into the hands of the Roman Catholic

48 AX EARLY HOUSE OF GOD

Cliiireli, from wliich time it was called St. Mary's
churcli. The corner stone of the new St. Paul's
church, which was a marvel of beauty in its day, was
laid July 12, 1841, and the building was completed
early in the following year.

The Rev. Father Michael Haes was the first resi-
dent Catholic priest in the village of Syracuse. He
assumed charge of St. Mary's Church, the old build-
ing having been removed to the corner of Montgom-
ery and Madison streets, then an open common, a spot
low and marshy and altogether undesirable for resi-
dences or for buildings of this character. The lot
was given by The Syracuse Company to the Catholic
Society, who transferred it to Bishop McCloskey of
Albany, who afterwards became Archbishop of New
York. The title now stands in the Board of Trustee?
of St. Mary's Church. Previous to the year.184'2,
there were only a few Catholic families in the village
of Syracuse. During the administration of Father
Haes the church grew rapidly, and in 1848, the year
when Syracuse became a city, the church edifice was
considerably enlarged and improved. The general
external appearance of the building, however, does
not vary much from its former aspect, except that a
spacious basement was finished off and the building
was lengthened and an addition of two windows made
on either side, and a section was added to the tower,
on which there was placed a cross. In 1852 the

THE OLD ST. MARY'S CHUItCH.-Fiom a recent photograph.

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THE HOUSE ABANDONED 49

congregation of St. Mary's Churcli became so numer-
ous that there was organized the Church of St. John
the Evangelist, the edifice for which was erected under
the charge of Father Haes in 1854. This church is
now St. John's Cathedral, an outgrowth of St. Mary's
Church.

The Rev. Father Haes died in 1859, and he was
succeeded by the Rev. Father James A. O'Hara, a
man of unusual ability and an eloquent and compre-
hensive speaker. Father O'Hara was the first Ameri-
can student who graduated from the University of
Sapienza, a famous seat of learning, and hojiored with
the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Through his ardent
and strenuous efforts the site of the present St. Mary's
Church edifice, at the intersection of Montgomery,
Jefferson and East Onondaga streets, was purchased
from Peter Burns for $30, 000. The laying of the corner
stone of the new St. Mary's Church, the most costly
and beautiful church in the city, was held November
8, 1874. And it is worthy of note, as showing the
kindly feeling which then existed among the differ-
ent churches, a very marked contrast to former times,
that considerable financial aid was given by people
of other religious denominations. The new St. Mary's
Church edifice was dedicated December 6, 1885. The
Rev. Father John Grimes became assistant to Dr.
O'Hara, November 10, 1882, succeeding the Rev.
Father James J. O'Brien, who was removed to Fonda.

50 AX EARLY HOUSE OF GOD

Dr. O'Hara died December 26, 1889, and lie was suc-
ceeded by the Rev. Father Grimes, February 0, 1890.
Under the administration of Father Grimes the con-
gregation has steadily increased, and the church is in
an excellent and prosperous condition.

The old building has been suffered to remain un-
used since it was abandoned in 1885. One Sunday in
1832 as Richard A. Yoe, one of the few early settlers
now living, was coming out of the old St. Paul's
church, he was asked by a man if Captain Hiram
Putnam, then President of tlie village, was inside the
church. The man said that a passenger on one of the
line canal boats, which carried freight as well as
passengers, had been abandoned by the boat's crew
because he was sick, and that the passenger lay in
the marsh grass between the two locks, Nos. -48 and
49. When Captain Putnam came out, he and Mr.
Yoe and the man went to the canal, found the sick
passenger and took him in a wagon to the old pest
house, which was then on the hill just north of Rose
Hill cemetery. The passenger died that same after-
noon, and it was found that he had the Asiatic cholera.
His was the first case of cholera in Syracuse. Many
deaths followed during that year. It might be also
noted that the first case of Asiatic cholera appeared
in the United States during 1832. The old bell which
hung in the tower of the old St. Paul's church, the
only part not sold to the Catholic Church, was sent

THE OLD CHURCH BELL 51

to Troy and recast for the new St. Paul's clinrcli in
Warren and Fayette streets. When that chnrchwas
torn down in 1885 for the beautiful St. Paul's Cathe-
dral, corner of Montgomery and Fayette streets, the
bell broke in being taken down and it was again re-
cast in Troy. It now swings in the present cathedral,
of which the Rev. Henry R. Lockwood, S. T. D., is
the able and esteemed rector.

CHAPTER IV

MONEY OF EARLY DAYS

Prior to 1830, the date when the first bank was
established in Syracuse, the banking business of this
county was carried on mostly by the Bank of Auburn,
of which Daniel Kellogg of Skaneateles was Presi-
dent, r. .d by the Cayuga County Bank of Auburn.
In those early days there were very few men in the
present limits of Syracuse who were worth $10,000.
If a man was worth $5,000, he was considered wealthy.
There was not a great deal of money in circulation ;
and of the money then used most of it was Mexican
and Spanish silver. There was not much English
money, comparatively, and very little American or
Federal currency. When the Safety Fund banks
were authorized by this State in 18"29, the banks, in-
corporated under that act, issued bank notes which
were readily received as money by the merchants
throughout the entire country. The cities where this
money was redeemed were Albany and New York.
The banks in the Western States, and even in

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STATE BANK NOTES 53

Pennsylvania, were not considered very sound, and the
paper money they issued was called "wild cat"
money, subject to a discount by the banks in New
York city. The bank notes issued in this State and
the New England States, under the Safety Fund pro-
tection, were the only ones that were redeemable in
New York city at par, the exchange being one-half
of one per centum on a dollar.

The barter trade, which had prevailed quite ex-
tensively in the very early days, had passed away
when banks were established. The salt, which was
the main product in those days, was then paid for
either by note or cash, and it was sold on four and
six months' time. The merchants were rather slow
in payments; but they were very reliable, as they
obtained enormous profits on small sales. They would
visit New York city twice a year for the purpose of
purchasing goods, and they would give their notes on
sixty or ninety days' time. Under the Safety Fund law
they were required to have two endorsers, as the peo-
ple in those early days were not worth much money,
and there was a consequent lack of confidence. The
notes issued by the banks, and which passed into circu-
lation as money, were found to be so very convenient
that the merchants themselves, in order to obtain
change in sums less than one dollar, issued shinplas-
ters, redeemable in sums of one or more dollars. This
method of making small change was introduced in

54 MONEY OF EARLY DAYS

1840. But there was no great amount of security in
tlie shinplasters, as they were issued simply on the
credit of the merchant; and the people took them at
their own risk. A large amount of worthless paper
money, issued both by banks and individuals, was
then in circulation ; and counterfeit mt)ney was very
common. Thompson's Bank Note Detector was issued
every week, and when a very clever counterfeit ap-
peared, an "extra" was issued. Each bank had some
peculiar mark of its own by which it could tell whether
its bank notes were genuine or counterfeit.

This was the condition of the money market in
Syracuse up to 1861, when the civil war broke out,
bringing hard times and a great stringency in money.
Gold and silver money became very scarce, as it was
hoarded by the people, and it was very difficult to ob-
tain small change in sums less than one dollar. In
the following year it would frequently occur that one
would go months at a time without seeing any silver
currency. The great difficulty in making change in
1862 is shown in the manner in which the taxes were
collected for that year, Thomas S. Truair was City
Treasurer at that time. He was enabled to make
change for the city taxes which were due iii October,
as he had thoughtfully provided himself with small
change for that occasion. But he foresaw that he
would be unable to procure sufficient small change
for such part of the county tax as would come into

CORPORATION ORDERS 55

Ms hands for collection in December. Mr. Truair, as
City Treasurer, applied to tlie Common Council for
authority to issue a form of bank note called a cor-
poration order, similar to those which were then
issued by other cities. One of these corporation
orders reads as follows: "Treasurer of the corporation
of the village of Rondout, pay to the bearer twenty-
five cents at the Bank of Rondout when like orders
are presented in amounts of one or more dollars. By
order of the Board of Trustees." This was signed by
the President and Clerk of the village, and dated
October 1, 1862.

But the Common Council of Syracuse, after look-
ing into the matter, decided that it had no authority
to issue corporation orders. After consulting with
Frank Hiscock, who was then District Attorney, and
who afterwards became United States Senator, Mr.
Truair decided to issue some shinjjlasters on his indi-
vidual account. The plan which he originated was
worked out by George J. Gardner, who was then
Cashier of the Onondaga Bank. This plan resulted
in the issuing of shinplasters which read as follows :
' ' Bank of Salina, pay to the bearer in current funds
fifty cents when presented in sums of one or more
dollars. Secured by special deposit." These shin-
plasters were signed by Thomas S. Truair, and they
were numbered and dated Syracuse, N. Y., November
1, 1862. They were issued in amounts of five, ten,

56 MONEY OF EARLY DAYS

twenty-five and fifty cents. The method of issuing
them was very simple. The shinplasters were litho-
graphed by Hatch & Company of New York, and
they were all sent direct to the Bank of Salina. Mr.
Trnair borrowed $1,000, which he deposited in the
Onondaga County Savings Bank. He was given a
certificate of deposit for that amount and turned it
over to the Bank of Salina, where he received shin-
plasters to the amount of $1,000. These shinplasters,
thus secured by this certificate of deposit, were gladly
received by the other city banks, the railroads, the
Internal Revenue, the postoffice and city departments
in sums of 8100. After thus receiving $1,000 for
the shinplasters, Mr. Truair returned his borrowed
money.

The plan succeeded so well that the shinplasters
drove out of circulation the individual notes of the
merchants. Very few of the more responsible men
in Syracuse did not issue similar notes, because it was
almost impos; ihle to obtain small change. The people
would even buy postage stamps and use them for
change, but the postage stamps would stick together
and thus became very inconvenient. The shinplas-
ters issued by Mr. Truair, amounting in all to about
$5,000 and issued for about six months, enabled the
City Treasurer to make small change which was uni-
versally accepted for money. They were greatly pre-
ferred to the shinplasters of the merchants, ■ which
were generally prepared in a cheap manner, being

merchants' shinplasters 57

simply printed on a card and signed by the merchant.
There were a great many counterfeits of the mer-
chants' shinplasters. Thomas Rice, a grocer of Syra-
cuse, James Frazee & Company, millers of Baldwins-
ville, and Thomas S. Truair, were almost the only
ones in this county who used lithographing in making
their shinplasters.

It took some little time for the postage currency,
which the Government first issued in 1802, to find its
way into general circulation; but when it did come it
superseded all other forms of obtaining fractional
currency. The Government shinplasters continued In
circulation until the resumption of specie payment in
1879. It is now a rarity to see the shinplasters issued
by the Government. In the early times it was quite
frequent to see advertisements prepared by merchants
to resemble shinplasters and bank notes. A great
many of such advertisements were fraudulently passed
upon foreigners as money. At length a law was
passed which prevented the issuing ' I bank notes,
excepting by national banks, and also all forms of
fractional currency. When the Government called
in its shinplasters by resuming specie payments, the
people showed their appreciation by gladly accepting
the silver money in place of the paper money. In
redeeming the shinplasters, it is said that there has
been about $7,000,000 of the shinplasters either lost
or destroyed; so that the Government is just so much
ahead.

CHAPTER V

THE THREE EARLIEST BANKS

The recent stringency in the money market re-
calls the fact that during the great periods of iinan-
cial stringency, leading uj) to panics that have swept
over the country, leaving business ruins in their
track, Syracuse has been able to continue her wonted
industries and mercantile operations with very little
of individual disaster to mark the time as one of
peril. The banking institutions of this city have been
managed with an exceptionally high degree of finan-
cial ability. In the early days of business transac-
tions in this city, especially in the village of Salina,
where the salt industry was centred, there was very
little money in circulation. Salt was the stai3le article
used in bartering for produce, clothing, household
utensils and everything that was needed. It did not
require much capital for its operation, while the re-
turns were sure and continuous. The State required
a certain quantity of salt to be constantly kept in the
storehouse, provided by the Superintendent of the

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ONONDAGA COUNTY BANK 59

Onondaga Salt Springs, in order to meet the demands
of the citizens of the State who depended on obtain-
ing their supply from the salt reservation. It was
sometimes customary for the Salt Superintendent to
give certificates for deposits of salt in the public store-
house, and these certificates passed from one to
another as cash, so that the public storehouse in sub-
stance became a bank.

The first bank to be organized in this county was
the Onondaga County Bank, which was chartered in
1830, with a capital of $150,000. When organized, it
was located at the east end of the east wing of the
Syracuse House in East Genesee street. It was after-
wards located in the second floor, northwestern cor-
ner, of the old bank building, corner of South Salina
and Washington streets, where the White Memorial
Building now stands. Its first President was Oliver
R. Strong of Onondaga Hill, father of Col. John M.
Strong, Canal Collector for the port of Syracuse ; and
its first Cashier was Moses S. Marsh of Pompey,
father-in-law of Edward S. Dawson, President of the
Onondaga County Savings Bank. In 1839 Mr. Marsh
became President, and Hamilton White was made
Cashier. Mr. Marsh was succeeded by Oliver Teall,
father of Col. William W. Teall, who is the father of
Oliver Sumner Teall, famous in New York city as an
eccentric individual. Mr. White continued as Cashier.
George J. Gardner, Oliver Teall's son-in-law, who

60 THE THREE EARLIEST BANKS

entered this bank in 1843, as a Bookkeeper, became
Teller, and Charles Tucker was made Bookkeeper.
These officers remained in the bank until the expira-
tion of its charter in 1854, when the banking business
was continued by Mr. White as a private banker.
Some of the directors in this bank, aside from the
officers already mentioned, were Horace White, John
Wilkinson, Moses D. Burnet, Johnson Hall, Thomas
D. Davis, Hiram Putnam, Harvey Rhoades, David
S. Colvin and James R. Lawrence.

The Bank of Salina was chartered in 1832, with a
capital of 8150,000. Its first President was Nathan
Munro of Camillus, and its first Cashier was Ashbel
Kellogg, the father of ex-Lieut-Gov. Thomas G.
Alvord's first wife. The directors at an early date
were Dean Richmond, William Clark, David Munro
of Camillus and Daniel Kellogg of Skaneateles. At
the death of Nathan Munro, Ashbel Kellogg became
President and Miles W. Bennett, formerly of Ca-
millus, became Cashier. Mr. Kellogg continued as
President till 1845, when he removed to Michigan,
where he died in 1848. He was succeeded by David
Munro of Camillus. The largest stockholder in this
bank was Daniel Kellogg of Skaneateles, who was
also President of the Bank of Auburn. In 1851-52,
the date of the first city directory, the officers were:
David Munro, President ; Miles W. Bennett, Cashier ;
Timothy Brown, Teller; Walter C. Hopkins, Book-

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BANK OF SALINA 61

keeper and Discount Clerk. The city directory of
1854-55 gives these oflB.cers: David Munro, Presi-
dent ; James Lynch, Vice-President ; Timothy Brown,
Cashier; T, J. Leach, Teller, and John H. Slaven,
Bookkeeper. Mr. Brown removed to Madison, Wis.,
the following year, and he was succeeded by Cornelius
L. Alvord. The city directory for 1856-57 gives the
following officers : President, vacant ; Cashier, James
Munro; Teller, T. J. Leach; Directors, Robert Town-
send, John Rice, Lewis H. Redfield, John B. Burnet,
James Noxon, Allen Munro, Joseph Battel, James
Munro, James M. Munro and Isaac Hill. Thomas
G. Alvord became a director the following year. In
1859, James Monroe became President and George
B. Leonard became Cashier.

The Bank of Salina was originally located at the
corner of North Salina and Wolf streets. It was
afterwards moved into what was known in the old
city directories as 15 South Salina street, about where
A. W. Palmer now has his clothing store, between
Genesee and Washington streets. The charter expired
in 1861, when the business was succeeded by the
Third National Bank. Of all the names mentioned
above as being connected with these two early banks,
the only ones now engaged in banking business, and
almost the only ones now living, are George B.
Leonard, Cashier of the First National Bank, and
Thomas J. Leach, Cashier of the Salt Springs

62 THE THREE EARLIEST BANKS

National Bank, tliough Thomas G. Alvord was the
first President of the Salt Springs National Bank. The
Third National Bank, successor to the Bank of Salina,
was organized with James Munroe, President, and
Francis H. Williams, Cashier.

Another of the early banks, and one closely allied
with the other two, was the Bank of Syracuse,
chartered in 1839 with a capital of 8200, OUU. It was
located in the second floor, southwestern corner of
the old bank building, coiner of South Salina and
Washington streets, where the White Memorial
Building now stands. Its first officers were John
Wilkinson, President, and Horace White, Cashier.
Mr. White was the father of Andrew D. White,
ex-President of Cornell University. Upon the death
of Mr. Wilkinson, September 10, lSG-2, Hamilton
White became President ; and he was succeeded for a
short time by John H. Cheddell, and he by Andrew
D. White. In ISoO, Horace White was succeeded
as Cashier by Orrin Ballard. The bank continued
business until 1865, when it was reorganized as the
Syracuse National Bank and continued as such until
1877, when it closed its affairs and retired from
business.

The Onondaga County Bank and the Bank of
Salina were chartered under the Safety Fund system,
which was first authorized in 18-20. Every bank
belonging to that system received a special act of

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SAFETY FUND SYSTEM G3

iucorporation from the Legislature. These charters
were for a limited period, generally having about
twenty years to run. That system was regulated by
a general law, which was incorporated into every
charter, by which each bank was required to have all
its capital paid in before it commenced business; and
it was also required annually to contribute one-half
of one per centum upon its capital to a common fund,
deposited with the State Treasurer, until such fund
should amount to three per centum upon the capital
of each bank. This fund was denominated the Bank
Fund, and was to be applied to the payment of the
debts of any insolvent bank contributing to the same ;
and, in case the fund was at any time diminished by
payments from it, the banks were again required to
make their annual contributions, till each had in
deposit the three per centum on its capital stock. This
fund, in common parlance, was called the Safety
Fund, which finally gave name to the system.

There was so much political influence mixed up
with the Safety Fund Bank, jjreventing the establish-
ment of any bank that was not in accord with the
leading politicians, that the Free Bank system, as it
was styled, was established in 1838. The Bank of
Syracuse was chartered under the new system. By
this system every individual and association was
authorized to engage in the business of banking,
and on dej^ositing with the Comjjtroller the stocks of

64 THE THREE EARLIEST BANKS

the United States or of any State which should be or be
made equal to a five per centum stock, or such stocks,
and bonds and mortgages to the same amount or less,
on improved, productive and unincumbered real estate,
worth double the amount secured by the mortgage,
over and above all buildings thereon, and bearing an
interest of at least six per centum per annum, the
Comptroller was required to deliver to such individual
or association an equal amount of bank notes for
circulation. Associations under this law were a
species of corporation. But there was nothing in the
act that required individual bankers to deposit any
particular amount of securities before they com-
menced business. The country was then flooded with
stock from almost every State, and the consequence
was that numerous banks sprung into existence under
this law. Repudiation soon followed. Many States,
that did not repudiate, failed to meet their obliga-
tions, confidence was impaired, credit was shaken,
and stocks generally depreciated in the market. The
consequence was that many banks failed.

The time when these pioneer banks were chartered
was a period in which banking capital could be em-
ployed very profitably and to the great advantage of
the public. The bank stock books were open to the
public, and anyone could subscribe for as much stock
as he wanted. It frequently happened that the sub-
scriptions exceeded the capital stock. The State

ALLOTING BANK STOCKS 65

Comptroller then allotted a pro rata share of the stock
to each subscriber. Of course a man of suflQcient
means could buy up the stock of other men, and thus
obtain control of the bank. The three early bajnks of
this city were ably managed, and they were successful.

CHAPTER VI

THE SYRACUSE ACADEMY

The Syracuse Academy, knowledge of which is
fast passing into a tradition, was once a celebrated
school of learning, and it rivaled the celebrated
academies at Pompey, Onondaga Valley, Elbridge
and other towns in this county. It was located
in East Fayette street, commonly called Academy
street, directly in the rear of the present Onondaga
County Orphan Asylum, which faces East Genesee
street. After the Academy building had passed into
the hands of the OrjDhan Asylum in 1846, and the new
asylum building was completed in 1885, the old
academy building was torn down and the brick taken
to Geddes. The brick was used in building the Butler
Manufacturing Company's building, erected in West
Fayette street, between the old Thomson's Infirmary
and the Onondaga Pottery Company. The building,
as it now stands in Geddes, closely resembles in its
construction the old academy building. When first
built for an academy it was a three-story building,

LOCATED IN LODI 67

the design being to add wings, but afterwards a fourth
story was added. The academy building was long
and narrow, though strongly built, and it had a
cupola in which there was a bell. The grounds were
large and laid out in a beautiful manner, the walks
sloping from Lodi lull, or Academy hill as it was
called, to the streets on either side.

The Syracuse Academy was incorporated by act
of Legislature, dated April 28, 1835, the incor-
porators being Oliver Teall, Harvey Baldwin,
Aaron Burt, William I. Dodge, Thomas Spencer,
Lewis H. Redfield, Elihu L. Phillips, Thomas Rose
and S. W. Cadwell. The President of the Board of
Trustees was Harvey Baldwin, the Clerk, or Secretary,
was Lewis H. Redfield, and the Treasurer was Thomas
Rose. The land was purchased by the institution
May 25, 1835, from Aaron Burt and Harvey Baldwin
for $1,000, and it is described as being in the village
of Lodi, now Syracuse, commencing on the south line
of Third South street (now East Fayette street) eight
rods east of Chestnut street (now Crouse avenue) and
running easterly sixteen rods on the south line of
Third South street, and thence southerly twelve rods.
In the deed it was provided that the land should be
used for the sole and only purpose of having enclosed
thereon an academy or other buildings for the instruc-
tion of youth and the diffusion and promotion of
literature and science, and when not so used or

68 THE SYRACUSE ACADEMY

otherwise appropriated the land, with the appurten-
ances, should revert to Messrs. Burt and Baldwin,
unless the institution should pay $1,500.

The academy grounds were part of a purchase of
sixty acres made by Harvey Baldwin shortly after he
came to Syracuse from Onondaga Valley in 182G.
The land was formerly a farm owned by Rufus Stan-
ton, who had before 1810 cultivated thrifty fields of
wheat near the Salina street bridge over the Oswego
canal, and who kept a tavern in 1811 just south of
the site of the bridge on the east side of the street.
Mr. Baldwin sold one-third of the land to Mr. Burt,
and another third to Oliver Teall, and the land was
known as the Baldwin, Burt and Teall tract. In
those early days all that jDortion of the city lying
between Mulberry street and Lodi on the south side
of the canal was an unclaimed cedar swamp. The
present Fayette Park was then a favorite resort for
foxes, rabbits and wild fowl, forming a capital sport-
ing ground. The Genesee turnpike passed through
this unhealthy swamp, and it consisted of an ill laid
corduroy road that tested the strength of the horses
and wagons, and the skill and moral training of all
teamsters and passengers having occasion to pass that
way. It was the purpose of the purchasers of this
tract to build on the highlands of Lodi a city which
should rival Syracuse,

The year 1835, in which the academy was started.

COMPETENT INSTRUCTORS 69

was cliiefly notable in tlie village of Syracuse, whose
population in 1830 was 6,929, for the introduction of
paved streets, tlie result of the vote of the citizens
being to pave Salina street between Fayette and
Church (now Willow) streets. In that year also the
bounds of the original village were considerably en-
larged. But there was a great need of educational
advantages for the youth. The children of such
parents as comld afford it were sent to the academies
at Onondaga Valley or Pompey or Utica, or to some
of the colleges. Syracuse was in need of an academy
of her own. Through the exertions of Messrs. Bald-
win, Teall and Burt and some others friendly to the
cause of education, the charter for the Syracuse
Academy was obtaiDed. Under many discouraging
embarrassments the building was completed in the
fall of 1835, and the academy was opened in January
of the following year. It was supplied with compe-
tent teachers and supported by the benefactions of the
citizens, besides drawing its share of the educational
funds of the State. The academy was well supplied
with educational facilities, and it had a fine library,
many of the books coming from the parish library of
the old St. Paul's Church. Richard A. Yoe, agent of
the Austin Myers estate, is probably the only one of
the original stockholders now living.

The first principal of the academy was a Mr.
Kellogg, who came from New York. The next

70 THE SYRACUSE ACADEMY

principal, and the one that gave most distinction to
the academy, as he was an excellent instructor, was
Oren Root, the father of Elihn Root, the distinguished
lawyer of New York, and of the Rev. Oren Root,
Professor of Mathematics in Hamilton College, Prin-
cipal Root taught mathematics and the classics. His
assistant during the first part of his principalship was
Albert G. Salisbury, who afterwards taught in the
district school built in 1839 on the ground occupied
\)j the old Putnam school and who became the first
clerk of the Board of Education. Mr. Salisbury was
succeeded as teacher by Joseph A. Allen, an excellent
disciplinarian, who taught English branches. When
Mr. Root went to Hamilton College about 1844, where
he became Professor of Mathematics, Mr. Allen was
made Principal. His assistant was Oliver T. Burt,
son of Aaron Burt, and he taught mathematics and
the classics. J. B. Clark was at one time one of the
teachers. Miss Frisbee was at one time principal of
the female department, and she was a highly cultured
woman. She was succeeded by Miss Buttrick, a sister
of Mrs. Oren Root. During the time that Mr. Allen
was principal, the academy was discontinued, and
,^r. Allen and Mr. Burt opened a private school in
the brick building on the west side of Mulberry street,
corner of East Washington street, just south of the
blacksmith shop.

The instructors of the Syracuse Academy were men

DECLINE OF THE ACADEMY 71

and women of more than ordinary ability. Almost
all the men afterwards became distinguished. Mr.
Root was a fine mathematician, and he is remembered
by the graduates of the academy, as well as of
Hamilton College, as one of the best of instructors.
Mr. Allen, who married Lucy Burt, daughter of
Aaron Burt, afterwards kept a music store in Syra-
cuse, under the firm name of Allen & Phelps. He
returned to Massachusetts, where be became dis-
tinguished as a teacher, meeting with great success.
He is now living at Westborough, Mass. But the
Syracuse Academy was not a success financially. It
was built on the college dormitory plan, but the
pupils came almost entirely from Syracuse. After
a few years the enterprise of the people began to be
aroused, jealousies in reference to the academy being
a speculation for building up the village of Lodi were
awakened, and district school houses sprang up and
were patronized. In those days every one, who
sought the gratification of political ambition or to
enact a part on the stage of life with a view to the
applause of his fellow men, hastened to mount the
common school hobby, as it was called, for education
had become a hobby. The result was that the commqn
schools and the free schools profited by the popular
agitation, and the Syracuse Academy went into a
decline.

The Trustees of the Syracuse Academy executed

72 THE SYRACUSE ACADEMY

a mortgage, June 22, 1836, to The Syracuse Company,
the owners of the greater part of the village of Syra-
cuse, for 83,000. The conditions expressed in the
deed or the reversionary interest retained by Messrs.
Burt and Baldwin were removed in favor of The
Syracuse Company for one dollar, the mortgage being
acknowledged July 2, 1842, and recorded five days
thereafter. This mortgage was foreclosed May 22,
1815, the principal and interest then amounting to
$4,398.83. John Townsend of Albany, one of the
members of The Syracuse Company, bid in the prop-
erty for $2,000, and he sold it to the Onondaga County
Orphan Asylum, March 18, 1840, for $3,000. Bradley
Cary and Herman H. Phelj^s, who did the carpenter
work on the academy, were judgment creditors subse-
quent to the mortgage, as appeared at the time of
the foreclosure. The stockholders of the Sj^racuse
Academy waived all their rights in favor of the
Orphan Asylum. Although the Academy was not a
financial success, it was an excellent school, and it
educated many of the children of the early settlers,
who have become prominent citizens of this and
other cities.

^LICLIBRAR'

THE KECRUITING STATION— From a recent photograph.

CHAPTER VII

THE RECRUITING STATION

On the south, side of West Water street, between
Clinton and Franklin streets, there recently stood a
two-story stone building, the first stone building
erected in the village of Syracuse ; and it remained
till recently in almost the same appearance as when
first erected by Judge James Webb. This building
was one of the most historic landmarks of what was
once the village of Syracuse, though the present
location seems strangely out of place, as it is now in
the centre of the wholesale trade. The building was
owned and occupied as a dying and scouring works
by Mrs. Eliza Smith, widow of Alexander Smith who
died in 1890. It was built of Onondaga blue lime
stone. The walls were almost two feet in thickness,
the owner evidently intending that his home should
indeed be his castle, capable of withstanding the
bloody onslaught of the Indian or the bombardment
of the more civilized soldier.

(73)

74 THE RECRUITING STATION

TimotliY C. Cheney in liis "Reminiscences of Syra-
cuse," published in pamphlet form in 1857, says:
"Judge Webb built the stone house lately used as a
United States recruiting office on Water street in
1824, and occupied it as a dwelling house." The
records in the Countj^ Clerk's office show that the
lot whereon this building stood, 42 feet frontage, was
purchased September 3, 1829, for $127,28, by James
Webb from Moses D. Burnet, who was the trustee of
The Syracuse Company, and who received his deed of
trust June 18, 1825. The Syracuse Company was
formed in May 1824, having purchased the Walton
Tract, and being composed of William James of
Albany, who owned five-eighths; Isaiah Townsend
and John Townsend of Albany, who owned two-
eighths; and James McBride of New York, who
owned one-eighth. In 1819, when the ultimate success
of the Erie canal was assured, Judge Joshua Forman,
the founder of Syracuse, removed from Onondaga
Valley to Syracuse and built a residence about on the
site of the present wholesale grocery store of G. IST.
Crouse & Company, being on the northeast corner of
the block in which the Smith dye house is located. In
1821 there was but one store in Syracuse, excepting
two or three small groceries, and it was kept by Gen-
eral Amos P. Granger, who came from Onondaga
Hill.

Among the list of business men who settled in

JUDGE JAMES WEBB 75

Syracuse up to 1825, as mentioned in "Clark's Onon-
daga, " the name of James Webb does not appear. But
it does appear that Mr. Webb, at the first meeting for
the election of officers of the village of Syracuse, held
May 3, 1825, was elected one of the three Assessors.
The population of Syracuse in 1825 was 600. James
Webb was engaged in the storage and forwarding
business, his store being located on the west end of
what is now the Onondaga County Savings Bank
building, directly opposite the Syracuse House. He
sold the residence June 11, 1832, to John F. Wyman,
the consideration being $1,650.

One of Judge Webb's daughters married Horace
Wheaton, who was elected to the Assembly in 1834
and who was appointed Mayor of Syracuse by the
Common Council in 1851, Moses D. Burnet having
declined to qualify. Another daughter married Col.
George T. M. Davis, a lawyer by profession, who was
for some years under Dr. William Kirkpatrick, the
Superintendent of the Salt Springs at Salina. Colonel
Davis afterwards removed to Louisville, Ky., where
he became a prominent newspaper man, being the
editor of the Louisville Commercial and the rival of
George D. Prentiss. He became Colonel in the Mexi-
can war, and afterwards located in New York city,
where he became an authority on financial questions.
His daughter married George Francis Train, whose
remarkable and eccentric history is well known

76 THE RECRUITING STATION

throughout the entire country. Judge Webb moved
from Syracuse, about the time he sold his residence,
to Alton, Ills., in the wilds of the wilderness; and
there he died.

John F. Wyman, the second owner of this old stone
building, established the Syracuse Advertiser in 1825,
in company with Thomas B. Barnum, who, however,
soon withdrew and was succeeded by Norman Rawson.
The Advertiser was continued by Rawson & Wyman
until the autumn of 182G, when the firm dissolved,
Mr. Wyman continuing alone until the spring of
1829. The Onondaga Journal, published at Onondaga
Hill by Vivus W. Smith, was then united with the
Advertiser under the name of the Onondaga Standard,
the publishers being Wyman & Smith. Silas F.
Smith, brother of Vivus W. Smith, says that he lived
with his brother, Vivus, who was older than himself,
in the old stone building, erected by Judge Webb.
Mr. Wyman sold a half interest in the property,
December 5, 1833, to Henry Ogden Irving, who lived
in Orange, Essex county. New Jersey, for $1,150.
The other half was sold to Mr. Irving December 5,
1834, at the same price. Mr. Irving sold the property
February 17, 1853, to George Everson and Giles
E verson, the consideration being $2, 500. The Everson
brothers, both residents of Syracuse, dealt quite ex-
tensively in real estate in those days. They sold the
property May 10, 1854, for $2,700 to Anstis Slattery,

WEST WATER STREET 77

a woman who made " lier mark " on the deed recording
the sale of the property. The next owner of this
historic residence was Jefferson Phillips, a blacksmith,
who purchased it April 7, 1856, for $2,700. He sold
it to Hnldah Bradley, wife of Christopher C. Bradley,
April 5, 1857, for the consideration of $2,800.

Mr. Bradley settled in Syracuse about 1822, and
for many years he was the head of a thriving foundry
business. He held the office of Village Trustee,
County Treasurer and other responsible positions.
His sons, Christopher C. and Waterman C, founded
the business of Bradley & Company, manufacturers of
power hammers and carriages. The Bradley family
in those early days lived on the lot directly west of
the stone building erected by James Webb, the place
till recently being occupied by the wholesale hardware
store of Robert McCarthy & Son. At that time the
south side of West Water street was occupied by
residences and was considered a desirable location.
The stone building was sold July 1, 1862, to Wheeler
Armstrong, a large iron manufacturer of Rome, the
price of the property being $2,000. Mr. Bradley was
the agent for the property till September 13, 1865,
when the next and the present owner became Eliza
Smith, wife of Alexander Smith. The property was
sold for $2,500.

For many years prior to 1851-52 this old stone
building was used as a recruiting station. The massive

78 THE RECRUITING STATION

strength of its walls, unusually strong for a residence,
made it especially well adapted for this soldier-like
occupation. The building was a two-story one with
a strongly built cellar, which could on occasion be
used as a guard room for refractory soldiers ; and the
walls, nearly two feet thick, offered an excellent defence
should it so happen that they were to be put to that
use. It is remembered by the old residents of this city
that this building was used by the government as a
recruiting station as far back as the Mexican war and
even prior thereto, probably as early as 1835, after
Mr. Wyman had sold the property to Mr. Irving.
Among those graduates of West Point who were
placed in command of this recruiting station were
Captaijj John C. Robinson of the Eighth U. S. Infantry,
who became a Brigadier General in the army, com-
manding the third brigade of the first division of the
first corps, and who eventually became Lieutenant
Governor of this State. Lieutenant Christopher C
Auger was another officer in charge ; and he became
distinguished in the army, rising to the rank of a
Major General. Lieutenant ''Bonny" Phillips was an-
other officer in charge. He was removed to Texas and
died in New Orleans. Lieutenant Russell, afterwards
a General in the army, was another officer remembered
as one of those who had charge of this recruiting
station. Lieutenant Kirby Smith, afterwards a Colonel
in the Mexican war, was another officer in charge of
this station.

SMITH DYE HOUSE 79

George Murray, now deceased, rented this building
in 1851-52, and lie used it as a dye house, to which
use it was ever afterwards put. In the spring of 18G1,
Mr, Murray sold out his business to Alexander Smith,
who rented the building until September 13, 18G5,
when his wife purchased the property, Mrs. Smith
says that one day Mr, Bradley, the agent for Mr.
Armstrong of Rome, told her husband that he would
give him just one hour in which to decide whether to
purchase the property or not. By purchasing the
property Mrs. Smith became possessed of the first
stone building erected in the village of Syracuse, an
old and historic landmark, and a valuable piece of
property.

Col. John M. Strong, Canal Collector, says that
he well remembers James Webb as a fine-looking,
well-built man, six feet in height and a man of means
and prominence in the early history of Syracuse.
Judge Webb owned a farm in Onondaga Hill. His
brother, Jabez Webb, who was a Supervisor, owned
an adjoining farm; and he was killed at the raising
of a mill on his farm. Jabez Webb had two sons,
John and Ezra, the former locating in Cicero, where
his descendants are now living, and the latter locating
in the western part of the State. James Webb's two
daughters, mention of whom has already been made,
were attractive, beautiful young ladies, the belles of
Onondaga Hill. Mr. Webb became clerk of the

80 THE RECRUITING STATION

Board of Supervisors when lie came to Syracuse, an
important position whicli lie held for some years
thereafter. He removed to Alton, 111., with his son-
in-law, George T. M. Davis, who became member of
Congress from that district. Mr. Webb sold his farm
to Rodger Billings, who gave Billings Park to the
city ; and Mr. Billings sold the farm to Judge Oliver
R. Strong. In 1842, after the old Webb farm had
been owned by Judge Strong two years. Judge Webb
returned to Syracuse for a visit, and then went back
to Alton, 111., where he died.

This old landmark was destroyed on the night of
December 8, 1893. A fire had started in one of the
adjoining buildings, causing a large brick wall to fall
upon it. Little was saved from the ruins excepting
the eastern wall. Another building, similar in design,
was erected in the course of a few months.

THE ALVORD BUILDING.— From a recent photograph.

CHAPTER VIII

THE OLD ALVORD BUILDING

As a reminder of the important part which the
village of Salina once took in the prosperity of New
York State, greater comparatively than the part now
taken by the city of Syracuse, the student of that
early history finds a lasting monument in the old
Alvord building, now standing on the northeasterly
corner of North Salina and Exchange streets. When
this building was erected in 1808 by Elisha Alvord
and his brother Dioclesian, it stood on the corner of
Free street, through which the Oswego canal now
passes, and Canal street, which is now called North
Salina street. It is the first brick building erected
within the present limits of Syracuse and one of the
oldest landmarks in this part of the State. Ex-Lieut-
Gov. Thomas G. Alvord, son of Elisha Alvord who
settled at Salt Point in 1794, says that this old build-
ing to-day is the strongest and most durable building
in Syracuse, as its walls are two feet thick up to the
first story and eighteen inches thick from there to the

(81)

83 THE OLD ALVORD BUILDING

roof, wliile the joist and other parts of the woodwork
are still in an excellent condition. The building, built
upon honor, cost a small sum as compared with the
prices now paid for similar structures, because of the
low price then paid for labor and material, about
fifty ijer centum less than at the present day. The
brick were made by David Marshall on the banks of
the Yellow Brook, near where it crossed South Salina
street, between Jefferson and Onondaga streets; and
the stone in the cellar were quarried in the line of
what is now Center street, in the First ward.

The Alvord brothers kept a hotel in this building-
till 1813, when they dissolved partnership, thebuilding
coming into the possession of Elisha Alvord. The next
occupant was Major Ryder, commonly called Bull
Ryder, who kept a hotel there till the building was
sold to William Clark in the early 20's. Mr. Clark
not only bought this building, but also considerable
land in front of it, including what is now Exchange
street and the lot directly opposite, where the State salt
building was afterwards erected, the purchase price
being $12,000. When Exchange street was opened in
1828 the appraisers valued "the interest of William
Clark in said street at $279," and further appraised
" the value of the land in front of William Clark at
$418.50."

Mr. Clark was one of the most prominent merchants
at that early day, keeping a store of general merchan-

WILLIAM CLARK 83

dise and dealing largely in salt. In 1838 lie bnilt an
addition to the bnilding, extending it to the canal.
He afterwards rented part of the building on Exchange
street as a drug store to Dr. Proctor C. Sampson and
Dr. Lyman Clary, two celebrated physicians. Dr.
Clary's son, O. Ware Clary, recently kept a rubber
store in South Salina street, betwet^n Washington and
Fayette streets. This drug store was conducted from
1832 till nearly 1840, when the store was absorbed in
Mr. Clark's general store. Mr. Clark at one time took
into partnership, under the firm name of William
Clark & Company, his brother-in-law, James Beards-
ley, wlio afterwards returned to New Orleans, where he
became the editor of the New Orleans Bee. Ex-Lieut-
Gov. Alvord, oftentimes called "Old Salt," for the
great service he rendered Syracuse in protecting the
salt industry, occupied an office in this old building,
over the drug store, from 1833 to 1846, excepting three
years, during which he occupied an office in the State
building, directly opposite, in partnership witli Gen.
Enos D. Hopping, brother-in-law of Dean Richmond.
William Clark sold out his business in 1841 to
Myles W. Bennett and Noadiah M. Childs, who carried
on the business for five years under the firm name of
Bennett & Childs. Mr. Childs was the active business
partner, while Mr. Bennett continued as cashier of the
Bank of Salina, which stood at the corner of Nortli
Salina and Wolf streets. Mr. Bennett was succeeded

84 THE OLD ALVORD BUILDING

by Thomas Earll, son of Judge Nehemiah H. Earll,
who was member of Congress for two terms from
Onondaga HilL Their firm, Childs & Earll, remained
in business from 1846 till 1840, when Mr. Childs con-
tinued alone in the old Alvord building till 1856. Mr.
Childs bought the building from William Clark in
1853, the purchase price being $4,500.

After the fire of 1856, which destroyed some six or
seven acres of buildings and residences, mostly located
in the block inclosed by Exchange, North Salina,
Wolf and Park streets, though there were some build-
ings destroyed on Wolf and North Salina streets,
notably the Bank of Salina and the Eagle Hotel, the
latter being located Avhere E. J. Eddy's store is now
located, N. M. Childs removed to the Crippen block,
corner of Park and Wolf streets, which is now occupied
by H. A. Moyer, the wagon manufacturer. Mr.
Childs continued in business till 1881. He is now the
agent for the Dillaye estate, residing at 406 Townsend
street, hale and hearty at the age of 87 years. He
and ex-Lieut-Gov. Thomas G. Alvord, still in vigor-
ous health at the age of 84 years, a salt manufacturer,
residing at 514 Turtle street, are the only survivors
of the old inhabitants mentioned above.

The upper floor of the old Alvord building, consist-
ing of three stories, was used as a public ball room,
where much dancing was enjoyed in those early days,
but it was not so used when Mr. Clark occupied the

A ROUGH SCHOOL 85

building. When N. M. Cliilds was President of the
Board of Education in 1858, this upper floor was used
for a winter school, during the close of canal naviga-
tion. The young fellows who worked in the salt
yards and along the canal in those early days — the
"Salt Pointers," as they were called — enjoyed the
well-earned reputation of being rather tough, and it
was a difficult matter to find a school teacher who was
capable of preserving order. Mr, Childs' says that
Henry A. Barnum, who was afterwards distinguished
as a General in the civil war, then 25 years old, was
the teacher in that winter school for one or two
winters, and that young Barnum proved that he had
plenty of pluck, and succeeded in governing the
school, notorious for its being decidedly tough.

After Mr. Childs moved into the Crippen block in
1856, the old Alvord building was rented for various
purposes, though it was mostly vacant. In 1873, the
building was sold to Albert Freeman and his son,
Hoyt H. Freeman, then doing business as A. & H.
H. Freeman, the purchase price being $3,500. That
firm carried on a pork packing business and dealt in
flour and feed for dairy purposes, besides owning five
canal boats. In 1878, the firm dissolved. Hoyt H.
Freeman carried on business alone at the corner of
Wolf and North Salina streets, where the Bank of
Salina was formerly located and where the Freeman
block now stands. Albert Freeman took into part-

86 THE OLD ALVORD BUILDING

nersMp his other son, Horace P. Freeman, under the
firm name of A. & H. P. Freeman, who conducted a
salt and feed mill and broom manufactury till 1886,
when Albert Freeman died. The business was con-
tinued a year or two afterwards by Horace P. Free-
man. Hoyt H. Freeman purchased the building,
after his father's death, and he now uses it as a store
house, he being of the firm of Freeman & Loomis
(H. H. Loomis,) manufacturers of willow clothes
baskets. In 1880 or 1881, Albert Freeman rented a
portion of the building for an oil stone manufactory
to Allan H. Gillett, father of William A. Gillett, and
who is now agent for an oil stone firm in New York
city. The building was also occupied by a man
named Billings, a j^eddler, who kept a rag and tin
store, and who sold out his business to a man named
Ayres.

The history of this old Alvord building, now
known as the Freeman building, reveals the history
of Salina, well known throughout the State as Salt
Point. Prior to the opening of the Oswego canal.
Free street was the great business thoroughfare of
the village. The farmers would come from difi^erent-
parts of the State — from Oswego and Ogdensburg,
two important towns on the north, and from Bufl^alo,
another equally important town in the west — mostly
in the winter time; and they would barter their
provisions for salt. The old people, who lived in those

REAL ESTATE VALUES 87

early days, and who are now living, can remember
the time when Free street, from Park to Canal (now
North Salina) street, was filled with the farmers'
sleighs. At that early day, the society of Salt Point
was of a refined, intellectual and literary character.
After the Oswego canal was opened in 1825, the
business thoroughfare was moved to Exchange street,
and most of the business was carried on by canal
navigation. The early merchants of Salina rented
the large island at Oswego, covering several acres of
land, and would use it for storing their salt to be
shipped westward on the lakes. As the surrounding
country became more thickly settled, the business
thoroughfare, after the destructive fire of 185(3, was
moved to Wolf street, because of the building of the
plank road to Central Square.

As an example of the fluctuation in the price of
real estate in Salina, from those early days till now,
it might be noted that William B. Kirk, the father
of ex-Mayor William B. Kirk, sought at one time to
purchase the property where the Kearney brewery
now stands, at the corner of North Salina and Wolf
street; but he did not have sufficient money. And so
he purchased property at the corner of South Salina
and Fayette streets, then known as a popular tavern,
afterwards called the Kirk House, and now known
as one of the finest business blocks in the city,
called the Kirk block.

CHAPTER IX

A FOREMOST JOURNALIST

The large, old-fashioned brick house at the south-
western corner of West Onondaga street and South
avenue, which was occupied for many years by Vivus
W. Smith, who, as editor of the Syracuse Journal,
exerted a very great influence upon the early political
history of this State, is soon to be torn down by Oscar
F. Soule and to be replaced by a double dwelling
house for Mr. Soule and his son, Frank C. Soule.
This house is one of the earliest houses erected in this
city, and it is the place where political consultations
were held between Horace Greeley, editor of the New
York Tribune, Thurlow Weed, editor of the Albany
Journal, and Vivus W. Smith, editor of the Syracuse
Journal.

The house was erected in a ver}^ substantial man-
ner in 1830, when the village of Syracuse had a
population of 2,500, by Zophar H. Adams, a builder,
who had a brick yard between his house and Onon-
daga creek. Mr. Adams did much of the early village

(88)

THE HOME OF VIVUS W. SMITH.— From a recent photograph.

NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

VIVUS W. SMITH 89

jobbing, having teams, wagons and ploughs ; and he
made roads, carted off rubbish and cleaned the streets.
He is remembered as the man who made Warren
street from Jefferson street to Billings Park. His
was the only house at that time west of the creek. It
stood on the old Cinder road, built in 1827-28 on low
land running through a wooded territory, consisting
principally of oak and hickory, interspersed with
some hemlock.

The house was purchased in 1847 by Mr. Smith,
who lived there until he died in 1881. Its capacity
was very much enlarged, making it a very roomy and
pleasant dwelling house. It seemed at the time as
though Mr. Smith was going into the country, as all
the territory west of the creek was farm land up to
1860. Philo N. Rust, the original landlord of the old
Syracuse House, who had a national reputation as the
most celebrated hotel keeper in central New York, had
a fine garden of fifty acres near by; and John Wilkin-
son's farm of 120 acres adjoined it on the west. The
house on the oj^posite side of the street was occupied
by the Rev. George H. Hulin, editor of the Religious
Recorder, afterwards occupied by General Henry W.
Slocum and now occupied by IST. M. White.

Mr. Smith had moved from the house built by
Elias W. Leavenworth in East Fayette street, about
opposite where the Grand Opera House now stands.
He had formerly lived in Onondaga Hill, where he

90 A FOREMOST JOURNALIST

removed in IS-^T from Westfield, Mass. When tlie
Court House was removed from Onondaga Hill to
Syracuse in 1829, Mr. Smith moved to Syracuse and
lived in the house between the one built by Joshua
Form an, the founder of Syracuse, and the one built
by James Webb, afterwards known as the recruiting
station ; and here it was, in West Water street, be-
tween South Clinton and Franklin streets, that Carroll
E. Smith, the present editor of the Syracuse Journal^
was born.

This old landmark, about to give way to modern
improvements, was a meeting place in the early days
for all the leading politicians, influential in the Whig
party in this State. In those earlj' days, it was the
custom of the political leaders to make tours at least
once a year throughout the State and visit each
county seat, calling together their trusted leaders for
the purpose of discussing campaign issues. William
L. Marcy, Edward Crosswell, Martin A^an Buren
and other men of national rejiutation made these
yearly tours. But it was with William H. Seward,
Horace Greeley and Thurlow Weed, the great news-
paper men, that Mr. Smith was most closely intimate.
They would sometimes come together, though more
frequently alone, just as one friend would visit
another.

The most marked man of them all, and certainly
the most eccentric, was Greeley, whose white hat and

HORACE GREELEY AND THURLOW WEED 91

white coat, with pantaloons of one leg tucked inside
his boot leg, made him a noted character. Whether
he affected this peculiarity in his personal appearance
from design, or whether he was simply careless and
absent-minded, are matters of conjecture. Another
peculiarity of this noted man, and one which must
have caused his host considerable vexation, was his
insisting upon having a tub of cold water for a bath
every night, and then literally emptying the water
upon the carpet during his vigorous eft'orts to keep
himself spotlessly clean.

Thurlow Weed, for more than a quarter of a cen-
tury, came to Syracuse at least once a year ; and he
would quietly drive over the old Cinder road and
renew his acquaintances at Onondaga Valley, where
he lived when a boy. His father, Joel Weed, was a
laboring man at Nicholas Mickles' furnace, which
was located in what is now Elmwood Park; and
he was a very remarkable man, noted for his
strong sense and great fund of general information,
obtained mainly from his devouring the newspaper
exchanges in the office of Lewis H. Redlield, publisher
of the Onondaga Register at Onondaga Valley.

It was in that newspaper office that young Thur-
low first imbibed his liking for newspaper work.
When the son was twelve years old, he also worked
in Mickles' furnace. He afterwards became one of
the greatest men the country ever produced, being

92 A FOREMOST JOURNALIST

called the Maker of Presidents, as Warwick of Eng-
land was called the Maker of Kings. His first silver
dollar was earned by selling to Joshua Forman a
fine salmon, which he caught in Onondaga creek,
formerly a fine stream of water and abounding in
salmon and trout.

Those four newspaper men, who were very close
friends, were possessed of broad information and great
knowledge of the world. Mr. Smith was naturally a
very reticent man and apparently cold, but when
among his friends he would be companionable, humor-
ous and an entertaining conversationalist. He was a
great student of various branches of knowledge, and
much given to scientific in*vestigation. Greeley and
. Weed had great confidence in him; so much so that
when they were absent on their European trips they
would entrust the editing of their papers to him ; and
Mr. Smith would edit the New York Tribune or the
Albany Journal, as the case might be. After the
break between Seward and Greeley in 1860, Smith
went with Seward and Weed. The characteristic of
Smith in his newspaper work was his clear, forcible
editorial expressions. He was a journalist for fifty
years, and he was recognized as one of the strongest
writers in the State.

In those days an editor would write from one to
three editorials a week, which would fill about as many
columns of his newspaper. The paj)ers were all mod-

V^VUS \V. SMITH.

THE NEW YORK.

PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOa. I.ENOX AND
TILD'. M roUNOATlONj.

EDITORIAL CHARACTERISTICS 93

eled after the papers of Europe. There was very little
of local news iu thera, as a reference to the old files
will clearly show. The first paper to establish the
local column was the Syracuse Journal, the plan orig-
inating with Edward Cooper in 1846, when that paper
was published by Barnes, Smith & Cooper, consisting
of Henry Barnes, Augustus S. Smith (brother of Vivus
W. Smith) and Edward Cooj)er. Mr. Weed of the
Albany Journal originated the short paragraph in
journalism, which is now the most effective weapon.
Greeley of the New York Tribune effected the long
and elaborate editorial, which was very convincing in
its argument. He originated the "em" dash at the
commencement of each paragraj)h. And it may be
added that while he was very careless in his dress, he
was exceedingly careful of his manuscript, though his
handwriting, to one unaccustomed to it, was very dif-
ficult to read. There were many italicised words used
in those days, but the modern type-setting machines
have no italics. Seward was connected with Weed in
the Albany Journal, and he became distinguished
through his State papers while he was Secretary of
State under President Lincoln.

It has been noticed that this old house, which was
really a mansion, so large and roomy was it, was
never painted. Some of the bricks were of the nat-
ural color, some were painted, some were mixed brick
and some were those which had been in the original

94 A FOREMOST JOURNALIST

part built by Mr. Adams. Mr. Smith was frequently
joked about the outside appearance of his house ; but
as he had no pride for outward show, he refused to
paint it, saying it was good enough for him, though
he sometimes threatened to paint it a sky blue, that it
might be different from other houses. His widow,
Theodora M. Smith, died in 1893. His newspaper,
through which he gained his great reputation as a
politician and journalist of the highest rank, is now
edited and managed by his son, Carroll E. Smith.

Vivus W. Smith, the most distinguished news-
pajDer writer of Syracuse, was born in Lanesborough,
Mass., January 27, 1804. After a short experience
in a newspaj^er office at Westfield, Mass., he came to
Onondaga Hill in 18-2T, and bought out the Onon-
daga Journal, which he published till 1829, when he
removed to Syracuse. In company with John F.
Wyman, who had established the Syracuse Advertiser
in 1825, he established the Onondaga Standard, the
two papers having been united, and the firm name
being Wyman & Smith. In 1837 he dissolved his
connection with the Democratic party and established
in 1838 a Whig paper, entitled the Western State
Journal. In 1841, he went to Columbus, Ohio, and
spent three years there editing the State Journal, a
Whig paper. He returned to Syracuse and resumed
the editorship of his former paper, which is now
called the Svracuse Journal. In the fall of 1846, he

HIS FAMILY 95

was elected County Clerk, and served for three years.
He was appointed by Governor Clark in 1855, Super-
intendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs, which office
he held for ten years. In 1873, he was api^ointed
Canal Appraiser by Governor John A. Dix. Mr.
Smith married, in 1832, Caroline Earll, the daughter
of Jonas Earll, jr., of Onondaga Hill, by whom he had
one son, Carroll E, Smith. His wife died in April,
1835. In 1839, he married Theodora Morey, daughter
of David Morey of Syracuse, by whom he had three
children: Fillmore M., Seward V. and Florence A.
Mr. Smith died in 1881.

CHAPTER X

THE CITY BOARDING HOUSE

The three-story brick building on the northwestern
corner of West Genesee and North Clinton streets,
part of which has now been torn down so as to widen
North Clinton street, was considered a very handsome
building in the early days. It was known as the
Dana House, having been built by Deacon Daniel
t)ana, but its correct title was the City Boarding
House. The residence part at the west of the building
was. connected with the eastern part, under which
were the stores, and the whole was used for a
fashionable boarding house. Indeed, it was the most
fashionable boarding and lodging house in the city.
In the angle at the extreme eastern part of the
building, which was cut away when North Clinton
street was widened in 1858, there was a small building
used for a blacksmith shop and various offices. An
account of this landmark will recall the names of
several men who were once prominent in the history
of Syracuse.

(96)

THE CITY BOARDING HOUSE— From a recent photojrrapli.

I THE MEW YOivK

PUBLIC LlBRAPv

ASTOR, LENO'^ AND
TiLDtN rOUNDATlONS.

DEACON DANIEL DANA 97

The land whereon the building stands was originally
part of the Walton Tract, which was purchased in
1814 for $9,000 by Forman, "Wilson & Company,
composed of Joshua Forman, Ebenezer Wilson, jr.,
and John B, Creed. Forman & Wilson kept a country
store in Onondaga Valley. Mr. Creed married Mr.
Forman's daughter Mary, who, after her husband's
death, became the wife of Moses D. Burnet. About
the time of this purchase, Forman, Wilson & Com-
pany built and started a large slaughter house and
I^acking establishment in a grove north of Church
street (now West Willow street), where a large busi-
ness was done till 1817. During the latter part of the
war of 1812 they filled contracts for the army. It
was their ambition to found a city on the present site
of Syracuse. But misfortune overtook them ; for the
Walton Tract was sold by the Sheriff, Jonas Earll,
jr., October 2G, 1818, to Daniel Kellogg and William
H. Sabin, for $10,915, to satisfy a claim of $10,000,
(reduced from $15,000,) against Joshua Forman by
the Bank of America of New York, and a claim of
$452.62 against the firm by the Ontario Bank of
Canandaigua. Messrs. Kellogg and Sabin sold the
two western lots, April 1, 1824, for $350 to William
Mead, a tailor, and Zina Denison, a wagon maker,
both of Onondaga. They sold the j)roperty to Seth K.
Akin, of the town of Salina, June 17, 1824, for $850.
On November 26, 1830, Mr. Akin, then of New

98 THE CITY BOARDING HOUSE

Bedford, Mass., sold the property to Daniel Dana
for $1,300.

Mr. Dana came to tlie village of Sj'raciise about
1821 from Albany, originally from New England, and
was for a year or two employed as paymaster by the
Syracuse Salt Company. He then opened a small
grocery and grain store in the block standing where
the Clinton block now stands, on the southwestern
corner of West Genesee and North Clinton streets.
There he continued in business for several years, till
his brother. Major Dana, came here and joined him,
under the firm name of D. & M. Dana. That firm
built the block of three stores on the northwestern
corner of Warren and East Water streets, where for
several years they successfully carried on one of the
largest grain and country stores in this section of the
State. Their principal competitor was Joseph Slo-
cum, who was one of the three Assessors for the
village during the years 1828-'29-'4:4 and '45, and who
was the father of Mrs. Russell Sage of New York
city.

Mr. Dana, or, as he was generally called, Deacon
Dana, built his residence on the property he pur-
chased from Mr. Akin in 18o0. This location was
then considered the best in the village. Several of
the prominent citizens resided in the neighborhood.
This brick dwelling house was very grand and stylish
in its day, especially as it was ornamented with an

A HANDSOME RESIDENCE 99

iron railing around the front stone steps. This iron
work was made by Joseph I. Bradl6y, an uncle to
Christopher C. and Waterman C. Bradley, and it was
the first work of that kind used in the village. And
it was considered surprising as well as extravagant in
Deacon Dana that he should build such a fine house,
as he was very simple in his habits and not given to
expensive outlay of money. But though the Deacon
was a close business man, good at driving a bargain
and careful in expenditures, he was a pompous little
man, always well dressed in the black swallow-tail
commonly worn by the gentlemen of those days ; and
he carried a gold-handled cane with much dignity of
manner. He was a nervous man, always ready for
an argument, a close student of the Bible, possessed
of a large acquaintance throughout the State, and he
was a prominent member of the First Presbyterian
Church. He was an enterprising, capable business
man, though during the last few years of his life he
became rather eccentric. Mr. Dana does not appear
to have held any public office, excepting that he was
an elector for James K. Polk in 1844. He was a
Democrat of the old school and a strong party man.
He was an applicant for the postmastership of the
village at that time, but the office was given to Col.
William W. Teall, who served from 1845 to 1841).

On July 8, 1824, Messrs. Kellogg and Sabin sold
the two eastern lots for $250 to Daniel Hawks, jr., of

100 THE CITY BOARDING HOUSE

Hannibal, Oswego county. On March IS, 1829, Mr.
Hawks, then of the town of Clay, sold the property
for $1,025 to Dr. David S. Colvin, a prominent Dem-
ocrat, who sold it to John B. Ives, December 5, 1835,
for $3,400. Mr. Ives was a very successful contractor,
building railroads and canals, and he resided at James-
ville. His widow, Mrs. Ann Eliza Ives, daughter of
B. Da^-is Noxon, is now living at the Empire House.
The property was sold by Peter Outwater, jr., one of
the Masters in Chancery, whose daughter married
Andrew D. White, ex-President of Cornell University,
on the claim of John V. L. Pruyn, a prominent citizen
of Albany, to Daniel Dana, September 25, 1845, for
$2,250.

Deacon Dana then erected the brick building, un-
usually large and handsome for those days, and, con-
necting it with his dwelling house, rented it to David
B. Blakely, who kept the City Boarding House. Mr.
Blakely and all his family were very musical, and
he frequently gave concerts. He was succeeded by
James A. Durnford, who for several years kept the
boarding house. Some of the older and prominent
residents of this city boarded at that fashionable place.

Deacon Dana, after dissolving partnership with his
brother. Major, occupied the two stores for his grain
and grocery business. But because of his failing
health, his business was not as thriving as formerly.
His eccentricities took a religious turn, and he would

MAJOR DANA 101

appeal to Ms friends to make repentance of tlieir sins
and prepare for the hereafter. His kindly and court-
eous, though pompous, manners remained with him
to the last. He died at his residence December 21,
1858, aged sixty-seven years, and he was buried at
Eose Hill cemetery. Owing to the infirmities of his
afflicted widow the funeral was held at the First Bap-
tist Church, which was near by, the services being con-
ducted by the Rev. Dr. Sherman B. Canfield, pastor
of the First Presbyterian Church. Major Dana lived
several years thereafter. He is remembered as a care-
ful, methodical business man, though, in his later
years, much given to buying large quantities of mis-
cellaneous goods sold at public auction.

The entire property was sold November G, 1858, to
John Ritchie for $11,500. Mr Ritchie was a partner
with David Leslie, as Ritchie & Leslie, and they kept
a very fine grocery in Robbers' Row, being succeeded
by D. & J. Leslie. Mr. Ritchie then retired from
active business, though he kept the open sheds for
farmers, on nearly the opposite side of the street,
which business is now carried on by his son, John
Ritchie. His daughter is the wife of Wilbur S. Peck.
The property has since changed hands, part of it being
sold to the city in widening North Clinton street.

Deacon Dana had no children. His brother, Major
Dana, who survived him several years, is survived by
a daughter, Mrs. Mary Dana Hicks, widow of Charles

102 THE CITV BOARDING HOUSE

Hicks, who was a promising young attorney. Mrs.
Hicks was a teacher of drawing in the public schools ;
and it was her work in this department that brought
her to the attention of L. Prang & Company, fine
art publishers of Boston, Mass. She is an artist of
considerable ability, and she has charge of an art
department in Prang's art works in Boston, living in
Cambridge, Mass.

ouf^'^'

^•

^'-•- '

it'''^'A jti^: w.-ju.jh^ .■,»*;

THE WETGH-LOCK HOUSE.— Prom a recent photograph.

CHAPTER XI

THE WEIGH-LOCK HOUSE

One of the old landmarks of tliis city, and one of
wMcli little has been written, is the weigh-lock house
at the foot of Market street on East Water street and
on the heel-path side of the Erie canal. The house,
a low, long, dingy-looking brick building, was erected
by the State for the enlargement of the Erie Canal.
The contract was awarded to William D. Champlain,
James Thorn and Edward Fuller, and it was dated
September 28, 1849. Champlain and Thorn did the
mason work and Fuller was the carpenter. The con-
tract price was $7,950 with $333.37 as items of extra
work, making the final estimate $8,283.37. These
accounts were settled November 19, 1850, so that the
building was doubtless completed by that time.

The house stands to-day practically in the same
condition as when erected, excepting that improve-
ments were made in the winter of 1892 to the interior
of the second floor, where the Superintendent of the
Middle Division, the Superintendent of Section No.

(103)

104 THE WEIGH-LOCK HOUSE

6, the Division Engineer, and the Resident Engineer
have their offices. The first floor with the weigh-
lock on the north side facing the canal presents a
romantic, picturesque aj^pearance ; and it is here that
the Canal Collector and his assistant have their
offices. The Inspector of Boats also has his office on
this floor.

The year of 1893 was one of the most prosperous
seasons known in several years by the boatmen, es-
pecially on the Erie canal. By far the greater part
of the merchandise transported by the canal consists
of grain, stone, clay, lumber, coal and iron and other
ores. The best year on all the canals was in 1868,
when the total movement of articles amounted to
$305,301,920, representing 6,442,225 tons of freight.
The amount of produce cleared from Syracuse during
the season of 1824, four years after the middle section
of the canal was first opened for navigation, was
12,065 barrels of flour, 2,862 barrels of provisions,
2,565 barrels of ashes, 76,631 barrels of salt and
64,240 bushels of wheat; and the amount of toll
received at the Syracuse office during that season was
$18,491.58. It will be seen that the village of Syra-
cuse as early as 1824 was not only a shipping point
for salt, the most important product, but also for
wheat and flour. This was a prosperous wheat-pro-
ducing county in the early days, and there was some
thriving flour mills in the vicinity of Syracuse. Since

THE CANAL COLLECTOR'S OFFICE 105

1883, tolls have been abolislied on the canals, by
amendment to the State Constitution at the preced-
ing fall election. During the year of 1893, ending
September 30, the appropriations from the State for
constructing and improvements in the middle division
of the Erie canal were $209,300, showing that con-
tinued and large expenditures are being made on
this great and important regulator of railroad freight
rates.

The former Canal Collector's ofBce stood between
the bridges spanning the junction of the Erie and ' J

Oswego canals, A foundation of hewn timber was
laid upon "Goose Island" on the north side of the
towing-path, and upon this was erected a small frame
house, which was designated as the Canal Collector's
of&ce. Dr. David S. Colvin was the Collector in 1824,
and he employed Benjamin C. Lathrop and B. F.
Colvin as clerks in his office. The old weigh-lock was
completed that year. It was built upon an entirely
different plan from the one now followed ; the weight
of the boat being determined by measuring the quan-
tity of water it displaced. Deacon Thomas Spencer
then owned and occupied the old boat yard near the
Oswego canal. This boat yard, afterwards owned by
John Durston and now the site of the Durston block,
corner of James and Warren streets, was then con-
sidered out of town, the easiest approach being by
the tow-path. But it was convenient to both the Erie

100 THE WEIGH-LOCK HOUSE

and Oswego canals, the principal part of the business
consisting in building and repairing the canal boats.

In 18'24, soon after the completion of the Erie
canal through Syracuse, it was thought necessary to
have a basin where boats could run in and be out of
the way of navigation. It was decided to locate the
basin in what is now the western part of the present
weigh-lock and extending south half-way to Washing-
ton street, taking in the former site of the old Market
Hall, now the northern portion of the City Hall. As
there was no current in the water that was in the
basin, the place became a miserable, nasty hole ; and
it was the dread of all the inhabitants, because it
tainted and infected the whole atmosphere with
disease.

A little low frame building stood on the bank of
the basin partly hid by the bushes that grew in great
profusion in that region. Joseph Thompson kept a
small grocery in the building, and derived most of his
custom from the canal boatmen by furnishing them
with supplies. A small barn stood on the south side
of the basin, with a path on one side leading into it,
which was used as a watering place for cattle and
horses. In those days there was a large number of
scow-boats used to transport wood for the salt blocks.
They were not in use more than half of the time, and
this basin, or frog pond, as it was called, became
filled with these unsightly craft. Many of them

THE PUBLIC MARKET BUILDING 107

were neglected and sunk to the bottom, and they
were afterwards found by the workmen in excavating
near the present City Hall.

It was not until 1845 that the final abolition of this
old canal basin, long regarded as a necessary evil, was
accomplished, and the erection of a public market
building on its site carried out. It was a project
which had been discussed three years. The plan was
to erect a building with market stalls on the ground
floor, which were to be leased for the sale of provis-
ions, as had been and is the practice in New York and
other cities ; and a commodious hall was to be pro-
vided on the second floor. The location of this new
market was the subject of numerous and warm dis-
cussions, but the place finally selected was between
Montgomery and Market streets, where the canal basin
had long existed as a nuisance, the cost of the land
being $5,000.

After the completion of the building, and to over-
come the seeming reluctance on the part of some of
the market-men to give up their former place of bus-
iness for the market stalls, a paper was drawn up
which the leading dealers signed, agreeing to try the
new plan. This was in March, 184(5. The stalls were
accordingly taken and lavishly provided with meats,
and the square in front of the building was the daily
resort of farmers' teams for the sale of various kinds
of produce. It all looked well, quite metropolitan,

108 THE WEIGH-LOCK HOUSE

but it did not pay. Customers did not like it and
neither did the rival dealers, and the project was soon
abandoned. But the public hall was a great conven-
ience, and in it was transacted for many years all the
public business ; and it was often occupied for other
purposes. It will be remembered that the market
place was convenient for public out-of-door gatherings
when distinguished visitors were in town. General
Scott in 1852 reviewed the military companies of the
city in front of the City Hall and there made an
address. In the same year an elaborate stand was
erected on this sqiiare for the reception of Louis
Kossuth.

It is perhaps a singular coincidence that the first
movement in the Halls of Legislation, relative to the
Erie canal, was made by a member from Onondaga,
Joshua Forman ; that the first exploration was made
by an engineer of Onondaga, James Geddes; that the
first contract was given to, and the first ground broken
by a contractor, John Richardson, who had been sev-
eral years a resident of Onondaga ; and all of whom
had been judges of Onondaga's county coutts and
members of the Legislature from Onondaga county.
Mr. Forman introduced the great project in the Leg-
islature in 1808 ; Mr. Geddes submitted to the Surveyor
General his report of three different routes for con-
structing the Erie canal in 1809.

The first contract, given to John Richardson of

COMPLETION OF THE ERIE CANAL 109

Cayuga, was dated June 27, 1817, and the remaining
part of the whole middle section was under contract
very soon thereafter ; and on the 4th of July follow-
ing, the excavation was commenced at Rome with
appropriate ceremonies. In 1819 the middle section,
from Utica to Seneca river including a lateral canal
to Salina, about ninety-four miles, was reported by
Governor Clinton in his annual message of 1820, as
completed. By the opening of this portion of the
canal the resources of Onondaga were more fully
ascertained a ad developed. And finally, November
1, 1825, a period of only eight years and four months,
it was proclaimed to the world that the waters of Lake
Erie were connected with those of the Hudson river
without one foot of portage, through one of the longest
canals in the world; and the cost, according to the
books of the Comptroller, including the Champlain
canal, was $8,273,122.06. After the canal was com-
pleted, all things were ready and the water was let in.
For a long time it would not flow further west on the
Syracuse level than the stone bridge, now called the
swing bridge, at the junction of Salina and Genesee
streets, as the water all disappeared in a bed of loose
ground. Many despaired of ever making the canal
tight; but after a deal of perj)lexity this place was
stopped and the water run on to the Raynor block,
northwestern corner of West Water and Franklin
streets, and there performed the same freak, and it
was several weeks before this level could be filled.

110 THE WEIGH LOCK HOUSE

If the canal benefitted the people of Onondaga,
the men of Onondaga were principal promoters of the
"Undertaking in all its incipient steps. Two men of
Onondaga labored faithfully and effectually through-
out ; Judge Geddes as an able engineer, Judge Forman
as an unwavering promoter of the canal's utility.
These two men furnished more solid information
relative to the canal than all others put together.
Till they took hold of it, the whole matter was con-
sidered by most men but an idle dream, a delusion, a
false, unfeasible project. Oliver Teall was appointed
the first Superintendent on the Erie canal, and Joshua
Forman, the first Collector; office at Syracuse.

The weigh-lock at Syracuse and the one at Troy
are the only ones along the Erie canal that are now
in good condition and capable of weighing the canal
boats. Since the canals are now free there is no
necessity of weighing the cargoes for the purpose of
collecting the tolls ; but this weigh-lock is very useful
in finding the weight of cargoes for the benefit of the
canal captain, the shipper and the purchaser.

The weight of each canal boat is registered in the
Collector's office. When the weight of the cargo is
desired, the boat is run into the slip, directly in the
rear of the weigh-lock house. The gates are then
closed and the water in the slip is taken out through
a tunnel which runs under the canal and into Onon-
daga creek, near the High School building. The

WEIGHING THE CANAL BOATS 111

boat then rests upon a cradle, suspended by strong
beams from above, and it rests high and dry, just as
ships do when placed in a dry dock. The weight of
the cargo is then easily ascertained by means of fine
scales used for that puri3ose. This weigh-lock is also
used when repairs are necessary to be done on a dis-
abled boat; and if it were not for this weigh-lock,
there would be no place along the canal where such
repairs could be done. And if it were not for this
weigh-lock, acting as a dry dock, the disabled boats
would, of necessity, sink into the canal, thus ob-
structing further travel along this great water way.
In the early days travel in the packet boats and in
the line boats, which also carried freight, was quite
popular and common. But it was slow traveling and
far from pleasant if the journey was a long one, since
the continued scraping of the towing line, the bump-
ing of the boat against the sides of the canal, and the
noise of the horses which were also quartered in the
boat, interfered with the passenger's slumbering and
prevented him from enjoying pleasant dreams. The
canals met a serious competition in transporting both
passengers and freight when the railroads came into
use. The Syracuse and Utica railroad went into oper-
ation July 3, 1839 ; the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad
in 1841 ; and the Oswego and Syracuse, October, 1848.
But the speed of these early railroads was very slow
as compared with the rapid transit of to-day. The

112 THE WEIGH-LOCK HOUSE

maximum speed was about fifteen miles an hour, with
an average of from seven to ten.

The stage coach driver was slow in relinquishing
his profitable trade to either the packet boat or the
railway car. It is remembered that Jason C. Wood-
ruff, who afterwards filled the office of Mayor of Syra-
cuse, ajid who excelled all other stage drivers on the
road, would wheel up his coach-and-four, " as he cut
a clean 6 and swept a bold 8," in front of the Syracuse
House, and offer a wager that he could reach the end
of the journey quicker than either the railroad car or
the packet boat. But so great was his skill and so
excellent his horses that he had no takers. The stage
coach is now almost forgotten and the canals are
maintained mainly to regulate railroad freight rates ;
but there is no question but that the village of Syra-
cuse is the offspring of the Erie canal, and that the
villages of Onondaga Valley and Salina, by declining
to render material assistance to Judge Forman in his
canal undertaking, lost their golden opportunity.

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CHAPTER XII

CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

The following are the ' ' Reminiscences of Syra-
cuse," from the personal recollections of Timothy C.
Cheney, compiled by Parish B. Johnson. These
reminiscences give a description of Syracuse in 1824,
and they were published in pamphlet form in 1857.
They are invaluable, since they contain almost the
only authentic records of Syracuse at that early date.
Very few of the pamphlets are now in existence. Mr.
Cheney was one of the earliest settlers in the village
of Syracuse, and he was intimately connected with
the business and history of the place, both as a village
and a city. His reminiscences give an account of the
most imjiortant local events that have transpired, and
brief sketches and anecdotes of several of the early
inhabitants : —

My father, with his family, came to this county
in the winter of 1811 and '12. This county then
formed part of the "Military Tract," and was the
residence of large numbers of Revolutionary soldiers,

(113)

114 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

who had obtained the land for their services in our
war for freedom. They were generally athletic, hardy
and energetic, and well fitted to settle a new country.

We lived on Onondaga East Hill about two years.
My brothers and myself went to school in an old log
school-house to our worthy citizen, D. B. Bickford.

A tavern was kept there by John C. Brown,
brother-in-law to Harvey Baldwin.

Onondaga East Hill was then a place well
adapted and frequently used as a rendezvous for regi-
ments of soidiers passing from the Eastern States to
the Niagara frontier.

Fragments of regiments and companies of British
prisoners generally camped there for the night by the
side of a small stream, while on their way to and
from the different places of detention or exchange.

I well remember going one fall in a wagon with
my father, to Salina, after a load of salt. We went
through Onondaga Hollow by the way of Mickles'
Furnace, to what was then called the "Corners,"
now Syracuse. At that time there was no road
where the present Tully Plank Road now runs ; that
part of the country was still in its natural state.

We stopped at a tavern on the present site of the
Empire block, kept by Mr. Bogardus, an old
Revolutionary soldier. The house was a small one,
and was, I should judge, about twenty by thirty feet
square, and a story and a half liigh. I do not recollect

GENERAL ASA DANFORTH 115

of seeing any other houses, though there may have
been two or three small ones.

I well recollect that it was a cedar swamp from
the Corners to Lodi, and a corduroy road where the
Genesee turnpike now runs. The road was covered
with an arch of cedars, and it looked very much like
an arched railroad tunnel a mile in length. The Cor-
ners, at that time, comprised the whole of Syracuse.

At that time nearly all of the first settlers of this
county were alive, and as a boy I knew them.

I was well acquainted with General Asa Dan-
forth, and used to visit him frequently to listen to his
stories about the Revolution and partake of the
delicious musk melons with which he bountifully
supplied me.

I was at that time but six years old, and he must
have been over seventy-five. I well remember the
feelings of sorrow and regret I experienced as I saw
him borne to his grave. He was buried on the knoll,
next north of the old stone arsenal, and was removed
from that place to the family burial ground of Thad-
deus M. Wood, and a few years ago his remains were
again removed and placed in the cemetery at Onon-
daga Hollow.

Arthur Patterson and Dr. Needham of Onondaga
Hollow are the only persons now living who acted as
pall bearers on that mournful occasion.

General Danforth came to this county in the year

116 Cheney's reminiscences

1788, and settled in Onondaga Hollow, with tlie per-
mission of the Indians.

At that time there were fnll five hundred Indians
belonging to the Onondaga tribe. Many of their old
men were engaged in the Revolution. They fought
for his majesty, George III, against the American
forces.

They had also fought against General Sullivan
soon after the Revolution, in three small battles in
this valley. Two of those battles were fought within
the corporate limits of this city.

General Sullivan came up the Susquehanna with
a large force, landed near Elmira and crossed over
the country west of this place, until he reached
Onondaga Lake. He passed round the lake until he
reached the ground now occupied by the Salt Springs
Pumj) House, which used to be Henry Young's sand
bed. At this point he fought a severe battle with the
Onondagas and defeated them. The Indians retreated
to the foot of the hill, where the Water Works
reservoir is now located, and encamped. In the
morning General Sullivan sent out his scouts, who
discovered and captured a couple of Indian spies in a
large tree. From these two Indians they obtained
information in regard to the camping j^lace of the
Onondagas.

The General formed his army in the form of a
crescent and advanced over the hill, completely tak-

BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS 117

ing the Indians by surprise, while busily engaged in
cooking breakfast, and shutting oft* every avenue of
escape. At that time the flats near the foot of the
hill were covered with water at all seasons of the
year.

The Indians, discovering their situation, fought like
savages while any hope was left, and then wildly
plunged into the creek and escaped by swimming.
Large numbers of them were killed in the water.
General Sullivan rapidly followed up his advantage,
and completely destroyed the castle and the largest
portion of the village.

In the village they found a negro lock-smith
engaged in repairing the locks of the Indians' guns.
He was immediately seized by the infuriated army
and hung and quartered in less than fifteen minutes.

The young chief, Anteauga, was engaged in both
of these battles, and distinguished himself by his
great bravery. He was presented by General Wash-
ington with an oblong silver medal, which he always
wore afterwards, as a token of friendship and fidelity
to this Government. The medal is probably still in
the possession of his relatives on this Reservation.

The Onondagas were nearly destroyed by this
incursion of General Sullivan into their country.
They shortly afterwards came to terms, f J^ were
thenceforth allies of the American Government.

This city was known from 180G to 1809 as

\

118 Cheney's reminiscences

"Bogardus' Corners;" from 1809 to 1812 as "Mil-
an;" from 1812 to 1811 as "South Salina;" from
18U to 1817 as "Cossit's Corners;" from 1817 to
1820 as "Corinth;" and from that time it has ever
"been known as Syracuse, the name given it by John
Wilkinson, he being the first postmaster.

Mr. Cheney came here to reside in March, 1824.
He boarded on Church street, and used to cross "the
green" where the old Baptist church (now the
National theatre) stands, on his way to work.

One morning in the spring as he was going to his
work, the thought came across his mind that he might
live to see the time when the "Corners" would be-
come a large and flourishing place, and that when
that time did arrive it would be pleasant to look back
to the year 1824 and be able to tell how many houses
were then erected.

From where he stood every house in the village
could be distinctly seen. He counted them and found
there were but twenty-three finished houses and six
or seven under way.

How few there are, if placed in the same circum-
stances with Mr. Cheney, would have conceived and
carried out such an idea ? And yet that wild dream
of the future has come to pass. " The Corners " have
grown T?htil now they fill the vast boundaries of Syra-
cuse—the " City of Salt" and " Isms."

At that time it was thought the " Old Red Mill "

THE OLD RED MILL 119

would be the business centre of the future city.
What citizen of Syracuse during the past ten years
does not remember the okl Red Mill ? We, the com-
piler, well remember its old walls. In our more youth-
ful days it was one of our favorite j)laces of resort.
We remember the feelings of awe and wonder we
were wont to experience as we watched the great
wooden water-wheel turn, turn, with a uniform mo-
tion, as if striving to get rid of the great weight of
water let fall upon its time-worn frame from the
moss-covered flume. We remember curiously watch-
ing the tin boxes of the elevator as they wound rap-
idly upward, bearing their burdens of grain or flour ;
of listening to the ceaseless bur-r-r-r of its different
run of stone, and the clatter of the hopper as it sup-
plied their greedy mouths. We remember the great
bolter and the wooden spout from which issued a
great dusty stream of bran or shorts ; the huge box,
into which was emptied the farmers' bags of grain to
be weighed and then let down into a bin below, through
a square hole in the bottom. And we do not forget
the dark frown that would overshadow that fat, jovial
face of the miller as we, boy-fashion, dipped our un-
resisting hand into the wheat bin and commenced that
great delight of boys, making gum.

We remember still later, when the old mill had
been abandoned, and the great wheel had ceased to turn
the complicated machinery, of crawling burglar-like

120 CHENEY S REMINISCENCES

into one of its back windows and playing "hide
and seek " within its deserted walls ; of trembling and
turning pale as we were startled by the noise made
by some ancient rat as it clattered across the floor ; of
starting noiselessly down the stairs as the declining
sun threw a dim and dismal light through its mil-
dewed windows, looking right and left, expecting
every instant to behold some ghost or other frightful
apparition ; until we reached the street, when, drawing
a deep sigh of relief and casting a sidelong glance at
the old mill, we would start on the homeward track ;
and we remember the old wooden bridge across the
creek and race, from which we first witnessed the
ordinance of baptism.

Excuse us, kind reader, for indulging in these sweet,
sad memories of the past. At times we delight to
revel in the shades of other days, and the old Red Mill
and rickety wooden bridge, with many pleasant asso-
ciations, hold a prominent place in our memories.

The old Red Mill was built in 1805, and set in oper-
ation the following year by Mr. Walton of the famous
" Walton Tract." It was situated on the east bank
of the Onondaga Creek, near the present substantial
bridge spanning the creek on West Genesee street.
In 1850 the old mill with its ancient companion, the
wooden bridge, was removed to make room for the
present artistic super-structure. The motive power
was furnished by a mill race, leading from the old

AN OLD INDIAN GRAVE 121

mill pond, now Jefferson Park. The mill dam stood
where the present Water street bridge has been erected,
and the pond extended as far south as Cinder road
bridge. The waste water from the mill ran directly
into Onondaga Creek.

The old mill contained two run of stone, and Henry-
Young was miller in 1824.

When it became necessary to remove the old mill
dam, the Syracuse Company employed Mr. Young to
make a pond west of the salt office, to be filled by the
waste water from the canal, and to dig a race from
the jjond to the mill.

While he was engaged in digging the race he re-
moved an old pine Stump standing in front of the
dwelling of E. F. Wallace, measuring four feet in
diameter. At the foot of this stumj) among the roots
he found the bones of a large Indian, a tomahawk,
beads, knives and a rude earthen pot containing black
and red paint. The paint was as fresh and perfect as
though mixed the day before. Mr. Young claimed
that the bones of this Indian, with the tomahawk,
knives and pot of paint, had lain there for two hun-
dred years. He had known the spot of ground for
forty years, and the tree had been cut before he saw
the place. The tomahawk found with the Indian is
now in the possession of Mr. Cheney. It is a small
iron hatchet with a pipe bowl for a head. The handle
of this instrument was too much decayed to be

122 chexey's reminiscences

preserved. This hatchet must have been brought here
with the French Jesuits in I60G, and was obtained
from them by this Indian, who, to judge from the
quantity of trinkets and ornaments buried with him,
must have been a very rich man.

A little southwest of the old Red Mill, on the race
leading from the dam, Cax^tain Rufus Parsons built a
mill for the purpose of making linseed oil. In 1824
it was in full oj^eration.

Southeast of the old mill, on the same side of the
race, there stood a saw mill. It was built in 1805.
In 1824 it was run by Frederick Horner.

That year pine lumber sold at the mill for four
dollars per thousand, and hemlock for two dollars
and fifty cents. Even at these prices, "store pay"
had to be taken.

Mr. Hickox built a tannerv that vear on the
present site of Walters' sheep-skin factory. Part of
the old building is now standing. Mr. Hickox also
built the house on the corner of Mill and Mechanic
streets.

In 1824 that portion of our city now occupied by
the Syracuse Pump House, was covered with a dense
growth of small trees and bushes. Among these
trees, near the present sand bed, stood a grave stone
which had been erected a great many years before to
the memory of a poor Indian trader who was mur-
dered on that spot by the Onondagas. The inscrip-

GRAVE OF BENJAMIN NEWKIKK 123

tion on the grave stone recorded the name of "Ben-
jamin Newkirk, 1783." With Newkirk came Ephraim
Webster. By reason of some act on their part dis-
pleasing to the natives, a council was held, at which
it was agreed to kill them. Newkirk they imme-
diately dispatched with a tomahawk. Webster's time
had to all appearances come ; he was escorted by two
Indians to the place of execution. Arrived at the
spot, he told his conductors that he wanted to drink
once more before he died. The request was granted;
whereupon he took his cup and drank the health of
the Chiefs in a flattering speech. The speech capti-
vated an old man so greatly that he exclaimed : ' ' No
kill'm." After some parley he was released and adop-
ted into the tribe.

Soon afterwards he was married to a squaw. She
did not live long. He married another, with the
understanding that she was to remain his wife as long
as she kept sober. He lived with her near twenty
years, although he contrived many plots to get her
intoxicated, that he might get rid of her and marry
a white woman, as the whites became numerous. At
the end of this period, with the aid of milk punch,
he succeeded in his cruel attempts. The morning
following her disgrace, she arose and without speak-
ing a word, proceeded to gather together her personal
effects, and left for her friends, no more the wife of
Webster. Of a sensitive mind, and possessing a large

1"24 Cheney's reminiscences

share of self-respect, grief so preyed upon lier that
she died in a short time after the separation. One of
her sons is now the principal Chief of the Onondagas,
and is a man of unblemished character. After his
second wife left him, Webster married Catharine
Danks, a daughter of one of the early settlers of this
county.

Webster was very serviceable in the war of 1812
in commanding the Indians, and acting in the capa-
city of a sp3" for General Brown. He was a perfect
Indian in manners ; could speak all the dialects of the
American and Canadian tribes, and was a very
shrewd and sagacious man. He used to make jour-
neys into Canada, and, pretending to be intoxicated,
lie around the fort at Kingston, for the purpose of
obtaining information to communicate to the General
at Sachet's Harbor. In order to get over the St. Law-
rence, he would steal a boat, which upon landing on
the other side he would set adrift ; and on returning
he would repeat the theft. The General and he were
in close communion, and the nature of their inter-
views was known only to themselves. When on these
Canadian expeditions, Jie would disguise himself with
a coloring substance, that gave him the exact appear-
ance of an Indian, and that could not be washed off
from the skin by any ordinary process. He always
pretended that his errand among the red coats was to
obtain food or whiskey, and among the officers of

EPHRAIM WEBSTER 125

recent importation he met with uniform kindness;
but the old ones, who knew him well, usually sent
him away with a kick or a curse.

A little east of Newkirk's grave, myself and other
boys used to dig up the remains of Indians for the
purpose of getting possession of the beads, kettles,
knives and other implements of warfare, or an orna-
mental dress that had been buried with them — this
being the spot where the slain on both sides in the
first battle General Sullivan had with the Onondagas
were consigned to their final resting place.

Across the creek west of the old Red Mill there
were but few houses standing in 1824, and only two
or three more were built that year.

The house Hon. George F. Comstock now owns
and occupies, was occupied that year by John Wall,
He boarded the hands employed by Cyprian Hebbard,
step-father of George Stevens, of this city. Mr. Heb-
bard now resides in Onondaga Valley, and is a man
seventy-one years of age.

In 1824, Mr, Hebbard was engaged in building the
salt works on both sides of Genesee street, west of
the Onondaga creek.

A small yellow house then stood on the present
site of Allen Munroe's new house, and in 1821 was
occupied by Sterling Cossit, formerly landlord of the
old Mansion House.

The house now standing on the corner of West

126 Cheney's reminiscenxes

and Genesee streets, lately occupied by D. O. Salmon,
was built that year by Henry Young, the miller. His
brother, Andrew Young, built the second house
south of the corner on West street.

Old Mrs. Marble then lived on West street.
Christopher Hyde lived nearly opposite of her resi-
dence. A carpenter named Patterson lived a little
north of Mr. Hyde.

The house Joseph Savage has occupied so many
years, was built in 1823 and finished in 1824. It was
occupied that year by Calvin Mitchell, a contractor.
He obtained the contract for building the railroad
between Schenectady and Albany, one of the first
railroads ever built in this State.

These were the only houses then standing on the
west side of Onondaga creek and north of the canal.

The old house standing on the southeast corner of
Genesee and Mill streets, was built several years
before by Captain Rufus Parsons. The house now
standing near the northeast corner of Genesee and
Mill streets, was occupied by Frederick Horner.

Mr. Horner is now nearly eighty years of age, and
is the onl}^ man now living in this city that ever saw
George Washington.

About the time of the first invention of the grain
elevator, inventors experienced great difficulty and
expense in obtaining patent rights. Mr. Horner was
then engaged in tending mill in New Jersey, and one

HE SAW GEORGE WASHINGTON 127

of the newly invented elevators had been placed in
his mill, and as yet had not been patented; though
the inventor was using every means in his power to
secure the desired protection of his skill. Washing-
ton, who was then President, was induced by the
invention to diverge from the direct route to the seat
of government at New York, and witness the per-
formance of the elevator. Thus was Mr. Horner
afforded the pleasure of exhibiting to the Father of
his Country one of the first grain elevators. This was
the only time Mr. Horner ever saw the great Wash-
ington, and he remembers him distinctly as he
appeared on that occasion.

A little north of Mr. Horner's residence, Andrew
Young lived in a small wooden house which is now
standing.

The house that David Stafford lives in on West
Genesee street, was built by his father in 1824. He
was a carpenter by trade, and assisted in building the
old Baptist church and several other edifices.

A Mr. Cook built the house next west of A. Mc-
Kinstry's present residence on Church street.

Mr. D. Canfield built the house next east of
Public School House No. 4, and that year it was
occupied by the Rev. Mr. Barlow, the Episcopalian
minister.

Samuel Booth was the principal master mason at
that time, and owned and lived in a wooden house a

128 Cheney's reminiscences

little east of Public Scliool House No. 4. He did tlie
masou work on the old Saleratus Factory, and was a
prominent, influential mechanic.

An old yellow painted house then stood on the
point formed by the junction of Genesee and Church
streets, and was occupied by Deacon Fellows. The
first house next west of the Baptist church was then
standing.

Elijah Bicknall built the old Baptist church that
year. Elder Gilbert was Pastor of the Church that
year, and when the carpenters got ready to raise the
building he mounted the timbers and made a long
prayer for the blessing and prosperity of their work.
Mr. Bicknall also built the small yellow house east of
the old church, fronting on Church street.

L. A. Cheney purchased the lot fronting on the
corner of Franklin and Mechanic streets that year,
for two hundred and fifty dollars. It was then
considered one of the most desirable lots in the vil-
lage, on account of its being so near the centre of
business. He had his choice, and selected that in
preference to all others in the village, at the same
price. Few persons, if any, then thought that the
south side of the canal would ever be anything.

The old wooden house east of the foot bridge on
Franklin street was built that year by Matthew L.
Davis, and was kept the same j'^ear as a tavern by
William Hicks. Mr. Davis also built the x^i'esent

PUBLIC SCHOOL HOUSE NO. 4 129

residence of William L. Palmer on Genesee street.
While Mr. Palmer's family were engaged in cleaning
house last spring, they explored a large hole in one of
the numerous cupboards, and discovered the remains
of a linen pillow case marked "Matthew L. Davis."
This pillow case must have lain in that hole upwards
of thirty years. It was probably stolen by some
mischievous rat and dej^osited in that place.

A little east of Mr. Hicks' tavern, Mr. P. Clarke
occux)ied a small frame house.

The salt fields back of Church street were in full
operation that year.

The house Mr, Driscoll lived in between Church
street and the salt works, was built that year by Mr.
Ryder. He also built two small houses on Mill
street.

Where Public School House No. 4 now stands,
there was standing, in 1824:, an unpainted frame
house, twenty-five feet square, a story and a half high,
with a roof sloping four ways. This building con-
tained one room, very high between joints, which was
warmed by a large box stove. The room was fur-
nished with old-fashioned, inconvenient school-house
furniture, and in this room William K. Blair, for
five days and a half in each week, taught the young
ideas of Syracuse how to shoot.

The Universalists held regular meetings every Sab-
bath in this room.

130 Cheney's reminiscences

The celebrated Orestes A. Browuson occasionally
preached Universalism in this school-house to the in-
habitants of Syracuse.

The house now occupied by Henry Fellows on West
Genesee street was occupied by Widow Creed (now
Mrs. M. D. Burnet) as a boarding house.

The house on the corner of Franklin and Genesee
streets, the present residence of George B. Walters,
was built that year by Henry Gifford. Mr. Gifford
cut some of the sleepers for his house from the ground
now occupied by the residence of John Grouse, on the
corner of Fayette and Mulberry streets.

D. Canfield lived in a small house next east of
Booth's on Church street.

B. Filkins lived next to him on the same side of
the street.

John Wall built a small house east of Filkins' for
the Syracuse Company.

Miles Seymour built the house on the southwest
corner of Genesee and Franklin streets. He also built
and kept a blacksmith shop on the corner of Clinton
alley and Genesee street, the present site of the Dana
block.

The Rev. Dr. Adams lived in a small wooden house
on Franklin street, between the canal and Genesee
street. The house was built in 1821 and occupied by
Dr. Adams in 1825.

Hiram Hyde built the house near the centre of the
block, between Clinton and Franklin streets.

CAPTAIN JOEL CODY 131

Henry Newton lived in a small yellow house next
west of John Ritchie's new store.

The old Eagle Tavern, kept by Frederick Rliyne,
then stood on the present site of John Ritchie's store,
and did a large business.

Joel Cody owned and lived in a small wooden house
where the new Baptist church now stands. Attached
to the house he had a large, well-kept garden, stocked
with fruit trees and grapes, running back to Church
street. Mr. Cody was at that time captain of a packet
boat running between Utica and Rochester, and was
noted for his eccentricities and love of fun.

East of Mr. Cody's house two brothers by the name
of Woodward built a large frame house, which was
kept by them for a hotel for about a year. After-
wards, Mr. Gates, son-in-law of Sterling Cossit, kept
the house until it was accidentally burned.

The present residence of P. S. Stoddard was occu-
pied in 1824 by Squire Bacon. He kept his justice
office in the basement.

The present residence of Daniel Dana stood between
Woodward's tavern and a small house standing next
to Captain Cody's, occupied by a weak-minded man
named Cohen.

Deacon Dana came here in 1825, and worked in the
salt works, packing salt.

Monday, July 5, 1824, marks the date of the first
celebration of our National Independence ever held in

132 Cheney's reminiscexces

this city. The Syracuse Gazette of July 7, 1824, pub-
lished by Mr. Durnford, gives the following account
of the celebration :

" At the morn's early dawn, the day was ushered
in by the thunder of cannon bursting upon the still-
ness of the hour; and at sunrise a national salute was
fired from Prospect Hill, on the north side of the vil-
lage. As the spiring columns of the cannon's smoke
disappeared, the star sjDangled banner of our country
was then seen floating majestically in the air from the
top of a towering staff erected on the summit of this
hill for the occasion. At about twelve o'clock, a pro-
cession was formed in front of Mr. Williston's hotel,
under the direction of Colonel A. P. Granger, marshal
of the day. An escort, consisting of Captain Rossi-
ter's company of Light Horse, an artillery company
under the command of Lieutenant J. D. Rose, and
Captain H. W. Durnford's company of riflemen, with
their music swelling and banners flying, preceded the
procession which moved to the new meeting house
(the old Baptist church). Here the usual exercises
took place, and an oration was pronounced by J. R.
Sutermeister, which was received by the large assem-
bly with a universal burst of approbation. The pro-
cession then formed again and moved through the
village to the summit of Prospect Hill, where, under
a bower, a numerous company partook of a cold col-
lation prepared by Mr. Williston, landlord of the
Mansion House.

FIRST CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY 133

"It was a truly interesting sight to see among our
fellow citizens who participated in the festivities of
this day, about thirty of the remnant of that gallant
band of patriots who fought in the Revolution. These
spared monuments of our country's boast honored the
company with their presence throughout the day,
giving a zest to the festivities rarely to be found in
common celebrations of this national anniversary."

The principal object of attraction on that day was
the Rifle Company, composed of the young men of the
county, and commanded by Captain H, W. Durnford,
Lieutenant James H. Luther and Orderly Zophar H.
Adams. They were dressed in red Scotch plaid frocks
and pants, trimmed on the bottoms and sides with a
bright red fringe. They wore leather caps with long
red feathers, and carried the long Indian rifle, with
powder horns and bullet pouches. As they marched
through the streets, they presented a gay and impos-
ing appearance.

Prospect Hill was then fully forty feet higher than
at present. The trees and bushes were removed from
its summit for the purpose of the celebration.

The aged veterans fast disappeared, and at the
next celebration only about half the members were
present. The second year following, they were still
fewer in number ; and finally all sank into honored
graves, amid the regrets of many true patriots. In
1824, the thirty veterans who were present walked in

134 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

the procession, but in the succeeding years time had
made so great inroads on their ranks and constitu-
tions that carriages were provided for their accom-
modation.

A little Irishman named John Dunn had a black-
smithing and horse shoeing shop next east of Captain
Parsons' house, on the corner of Genesee and Mill
streets. He was a jolly, whiskey-loving fellow, and
afforded a great deal of amusement to his customers.

East of David Stafford's house, there stood a large
yellow painted carriage factory, carried on by a Mr.
Martin. Between the factory and Stafford's house,
there was standing in 18 24: a large pine tree.

The old yellow stores, now Taylor & Company's
saleratus factory, were erected in 1821. Samuel
Booth had the contract for and performed the mason
work of the building. Daniel Elliott, of Auburn,
performed the carpenter work.

Matthew L. Davis occupied the store on the corner
of Genesee and Clinton streets, as a dry goods store.

Heman and Chester Walbridge occupied the store
next to him, as a dry goods and general assortment
store.

A man from Xew York kept a bookstore in the
same block, in the store next to the canal. The store
on Genesee street was occupied by Samuel Hicks as a
hat store.

A one and a half story wooden store, between the

CLINTON SQUARE 135

Eagle tavern and Hicks' hat shop, was occiiiDied by
Matthew L. Davis, previous to his going into the cor-
ner of the then new block.

Before the new stores were completed, the Wal-
bridges occupied the old store formerly standing on
the corner of Clinton alley.

B. B. Batchelder occupied a store next to him, and
kept a general assortment of all descriptions of goods.

A. Root occupied the third store from the corner,
as a boot and shoe store.

These old buildings were all removed last summer
to make room for the new Court House.

Clinton Square, the famous resort for our wood
dealers from the country, was then a large green,
upon which many a game of base ball was played by
the young men of the village. The packet boats used
to land their passengers on the towpath, and they
would cross the green to the old Mansion House.

The Mansion House stood on the ground now occu-
pied by the stately Empire block. It was built in
1805 by Henry Bogardus, and kept by him as a
tavern for several years. Back of the house, Mr.
Bogardus erected his barns and out-houses. He also
set out a large orchard of apples and other fruit.
Some of the old apple trees are still standing and bear
a very excellent variety of fruit. Mr. Bogardus had
no regular bar in his tavern, and was accustomed to
set his liquors and glasses out upon a large table.

136 Cheney's reminiscences

The proprietorship of the Mansion House changed
hands several times during its existence. In the
spring of 182-1:, Sterling Cossit was the landlord.
That spring the house was enlarged and renovated,
and O. H. Williston assumed the proprietorship.

The Mansion House was a shabby, patched up old
concern, requiring additions and alterations every
year, until it looked like a relic of other days. It
was the scene of many a hard "Salt Point spree,"
and had its old walls been gifted with the power of
speech, they could have told many a strange tale of
hard fought, strongly contested battles between the
sturdy residents of Salina and Syracuse. The greatest
rivalry existed between the two places in 1824, which
manifested itself in "free fights" every time the resi-
dents of either town crossed the boundary line. That
year the Salt Pointers strained every nerve as far as
building and business were concerned, to outstrip the
rapid growth of Syracuse ; but every exertion proved
unavailing. Syracuse shot ahead like a race horse,
and has ever since maintained the ascendancy.

In 1845, the old Mansion House and attending
buildings were removed to make room for the Empire
block. The Empire block was commenced in 1845
by John H. Tomlinson and Stephen W. Cadwell of
Syracuse and John Thomas of Albany. The building
was finished in 1847, when John H. Tomlinson became
sole owner. Mr. Tomlinson was killed by a railroad

THE EMPIRE HOUSE 137

accident at Little Falls in the summer of 1848. He
was an active, energetic, enterprising man, and car-
ried on more business than ten ordinary men could
well accomplish. He was a native of this county,
and died deeply regretted by a very extensive
acquaintance throughout the State.

In the fall of 1848, the Empire was sold under the
hammer to John Taylor of Newark, New Jersey. It
was afterwards purchased by James L. Voorhees and
John D. Norton. In 1850, Colonel Voorhees became
sole owner, and during the summer of 185G he made
large and important additions and improvements on
the original building, until it is now one of the
largest, best built and arranged blocks in the city.

Colonel Voorhees came to this county in the win-
ter of 1812-13. He settled in Lysander, about 20
miles from this city. The Colonel was then eighteen
years of age. He started in life with an axe, and has
hewn himself into a position of great wealth and
influence. In his early days, the Colonel passed under
the familiar nickname of the "Dutchman" and "the
tall pine of Lysander." He has been engaged since
his boyhood in the lumber business in all its depart-
ments, from the office of "chopper" to the position
of the extensive landed proprietor. In the years
1844-45 and '46, he was engaged in the construction of
the extensive Atlantic docks, in the port of New
York. He is now sixty-two years of age, and

138 Cheney's reminiscences

appears as hale and hearty as a man of forty, and even
now transacts an amount of business that would
require the time and energies of three or four common
men to accomi3lish.

In 1824, the people used a peculiar kind of hay
scales. A load of haj^ was drawn under a roof, four
chains were lowered and attached to the hubs of the
wagon, and by means of pulleys and a windlass the
load of hay was hoisted into the air, and the weight
determined by a huge pair of steelyards in the loft of
the building. Such an inconvenient contrivance for
weighing hay stood a little north of the Mansion
House.

The house now standing in the northeast corner of
Clinton alley and Clinton street, now occupied by
George B. Parker, was built in 1821 by Asa Marvin.
The house next east of it was built by John Wall for
the Syracuse Company.

The present residence of J. D. Dana, on the corner
of Church street and Clinton alley, was built that
year by a Mr. Deuslow. The old canal stables on
Clinton alley were in full blast in 1821. They were
owned by John A. Green, father of our well known
grocery merchant of that name, and ars now a part
of the new Court House lot.

In 1824, General A. P. Granger was the proprietor
of a store containing a general assortment of all
descriptions of wares and merchandise, on the present

GENERAL AMOS P. GRANGER 139

site of the Star buildings. Hiram Demiiig was liis
clerk. His store was a long, two story building,
fronting on Salina street. The building stood back
from the street a few feet, and had a green fence of
posts and cross bars between the street and house, to
which his customers fastened their teams when they
came to trade. The south end was occupied by the
store, and the north end of the house and the second
story the General occupied as a dwelling house.
Between the fence and the house a considerable
quantity of shrubbery had been set out, forming a
miniature flower garden. The General was one of
the principal men of the village, and on the occasion
of LaFayette's passage through Syracuse (June 8,
1825), during his last visit to this country, he was
made the orator of the day.

The General performed the duties of the office to
the entire satisfaction of every person present on
that occasion by making an excellent and appropriate
speech to the assembled citizens, from the deck of a
canal boat, in honor of the distinguished visitor.

At the time of LaFayette's visit to this place,
there lived at Onondaga Hollow a large, athletic man
named Moore, familiarly known under the appella-
tion of " Donakeedee." This man was engaged in the
Revolution, and served as a private in LaFayette's
regiment. While in the army he had been nick-
named, on account of his extremely large head,

140 Cheney's reminiscences

"Cabbage Head." LaFayette came from the west
by the way of Marcellus, Onondaga Hill and Onon-
daga Hollow. While passing through the Hollow,
Moore was brought before him, and he was asked
who it was. LaFayette regarded the man a moment,
and then exclaimed: "Why, it's Cabbage Head."
This story will serve to show the remarkable memory
of the great LaFayette. He had not seen "Cabbage
Head " for forty-two years, and yet his memory of
the man was perfect.

A few moments after LaFayette had made his
final bow to the assembled citizens, and retired to the
cabin of the boat in which he was then traveling, a
large scow boat loaded down with men, women and
children, arrived from Geddes to see the great and
illustrious companion of Washington. LaFayette
being informed of their arrival, again ascended to the
deck, amid the prolonged cheers of the multitude,
said a few words to his Geddes visitants, and, bow-
ing, proceeded on his way to Utica.

LaFayette was a man of medium height, well
proportioned, and stood very erect for a man of his
age. He had a large head, full features, a rough,
swarthy skin and beard cut smooth. He wore a very
curly, light brown wig, rather inclined* to red, and
was dressed in a straight bodied black coat, black silk
vest. Nankeen pants and calf skin shoes. He was
very polite and pleasing in his address, in fact a most
perfect and polished gentleman in every respect.

THE OLD SALINA STREET BRIDGE 141

LaFayette's son, George Wasliington LaFayette,
accompanied him on his last visit to this country.
He was a larger man than his father. The top of his
head was bald, what little hair he possessed being
brown. He was a very good looking man, free and
easy in his manners, and dressed in black.

In 1824, Salina street bridge consisted of one single
stone arch, barely high enough to admit of the pas-
sage of the small boats used in those days. A stone
wall was raised about three feet above the level of the
roadway on each side of the bridge, and was covered
with flag coping full three feet broad. This wall
formed a favorite lounging place for the lazy people
of Syracuse. They could lie on the coping and
watch the boats as they passed up and down the
canal, and at the same time witness all that transpired
in the village. Occasionally one of the numerous
loafers would go to sleep and roll off into the canal,
thus furnishing food for the gossiping tongues of the
villagers for many a day and week.

In 1824, Stephen W. Cadwell and Paschal Thurber
bought out a man by the name of Cummings, who
kept a lot of pet bears, wolves, monkeys and other
wild animals on the ground now occupied by Cadwell
and the Doran brothers on James street. This Cum-
mings was a miserable old fellow, and everybody was
glad to get rid of him.

Between Cadwell's and Granger's corner there were

142 Cheney's reminiscenxes

three or four old rookeries standing, occupied by dif-
ferent persons, who derived the principal part of their
trade from the canal boatmen.

East of Cadwell's, a man named Brockway occu-
pied a little shop as a meat market. Next to the meat
market, there stood a large frame building painted
red, a miserable old shell at best. East of this red
house, on the corner now occupied as a grocery by
B. C. Lathrop, a store house was kept by E. L. Clark
in a large wooden building, since burned.

In 1824, that portion of James street styled "Rob-
bers' Row " had been surveyed and laid out as a street,
but had not been worked. The trees and brush had
been cleared off and the passage Df teams had made
considerable of a trail. Stores and houses on the
south side of the street had their front entrances open-
ing on the towing path. The gable ends and back
yards of the houses were on James street.

James street proper was at that time only an Indian
trail, leading over the hills to what was then Foot
Settlement, now the first gate. The eye of the lonely
wayfarer on that trail was not gladdened by the sight
of the lordly and palatial residences of the upper ten
that now give a grand and aristocratic appearance to
this beautiful street.

The only object on this trail which then served as
a resting place to eyes (if there ever were such, wearied
with continuous watching of swaying trees and

MAJOR MOSES D. BURNET 143

falling leaves in the dense forest where God speaks to
man through the rustling leaves, the sighing wind
and the joyous appearance of all nature, as with a
human voice) was the dwelling house of Major Bur-
net, erected that year by Rodney Sargents, of
Auburn. This house stood on a slight eminence now
occupied by the new residence of Major Burnet.
The house fronted the south, and had a path, or
rather, an impromptu road leading directly to the
towing path on the Erie canal. The house then stood
far out of town, and the only avenue of approach for
teams was by the tow path and the jDrivate road.
Persons on foot could reach the house by taking the
trail and beating through the underbrush.

The old collector's office stood between the bridges
spanning the junction of the Erie and Oswego canals.
A foundation of hewn timber was laid upon "Goose
Island," on the north side of the towing path, and
upon this was erected a small frame house which was
designated as the canal collector's office. Dr. Colvin
was the collector in 1824, and employed Benjamin C.
Lathrop and B. F. Colvin as clerks in his office. The
Doctor resided in a small frame house on Salina street,
a little north of Waggoner's corner.

The amount of produce cleared during the season
of 1834 from this office was 13,065 barrels of flour,
3,863 barrels provisions, 3,565 barrels ashes, 76,631
barrels salt, and 64, 340 bushels of wheat. The amount

144 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

of toll received at the office during tlie season of 1824
was $18,491.58.

The old weigh lock was completed that year. It
was built upon an entirely different plan from the one
now followed ; the weight of the boat being determined
by measuring the quantity of water it displaced.

Deacon Spencer then owned and occupied the old
boat yard (now John Durston's) near the Oswego
canal. The boat yard was then considered out of
town, the easiest avenues of approach being by the
tow path.

Deacon Spencer lived in a small frame house ad-
joining, and west of the present "Greyhound Inn,"
on the corner of James and Warren streets.

Between Deacon Spencer's residence and Wag-
goner's corner there were two small edifices. The first
one was occupied and used as a blacksmith shop. The
other was the residence of Widow Gushing, who ob-
tained a scanty subsistence by retailing milk to those
needing this product of her only cow.

A little mercurial Frenchman, named Lewis, a
brother-in-law of Sterling Cossit, resided in the first
house north of Dr. Colvin's on Salina street.

James Sackett commenced building in 1824, a little
north of Dr. Colvin and the Frenchman. He was a
very eccentric man, and at times was feared and dis-
liked by all his neighbors, because he would persist
in indulging in the most eccentric habits.

AMOS STANTON 145

Dr. Colvin's, the Frencliman's and Mr. Sackett's
were the only houses on the block opposite of the
Empire in 1824.

A small frame house stood on the ground now oc-
cupied by the Noxon block. It was then occupied as
a dwelling by Isaac Stanton.

Amos Stanton, the father of Isaac and Rufus Stan-
ton, came here to reside in 1805. He engaged in the
manufacture, during the winter, of salt. That article
then sold for three dollars per barrel. In 181G the
price had been reduced to two dollars per barrel, and
in 1824 it was sold for $1.50 per barrel.

Mr. Stanton then, in 1805, owned one square acre
of ground, including the land now occupied by the
old " Ogle Tavern," near the Oswego canal bridge on
Salina street. Mr. Stanton had this acre of land
cleared and converted into a wheat field. He also
hired a few acres southeast of his lot, and worked the
whole as a farm in the summer time.

When the Oswego canal was built, they cut diag-
onally through Mr. Stanton's acre.

The Ogle Tavern was occupied as a private dwell-
ing house in 1824.

Mr. Bogardus, of the Mansion House, built a small
frame house near the present site of Corinthian Hall,
which he occupied while building the Mansion House.
Paschal Thurber lived in it in 1824. The house stood
on the bank of a small natural creek, since arched

146 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

and formed into a sluice way for the passage of the
surplus water of the new weigh lock.

On the north side of the Oswego canal, the house
lately known as "Church's Grocery," then belonged
to the widow of Peter Wales, and was occupied by
her as a dwelling house.

The land north and east of Widow Waxes' house
was covered by a young growth of trees and under-
brush, the only clearing being the jjatch of ground
near the old Centre House, upon which Harry Blake
bad built himself a dwelling and commenced to farm
it.

There were no other dwellings between Syracuse
and Salina. It was then two miles between the two
places, and Salina street was a mere wagon track cut
through the timber and known as Cooper street. The
name was derived from the circumstance that several
coopers put up shanties and used all of the available
timber for the purpose of making salt barrels, about
the year 1806.

A little cluster of five or six cheaply built, white-
washed houses, known as White Hall, stood on the
first block north of the new Catholic church.

I think there were three or four salt blocks stand-
ing near the canal. They were built in the old fash-
ioned style, with the side towards the canal, a chim-
ney in the middle and a fire built at both ends of the
block. I think there were two or three little houses
near the blocks, occupied by tlie salt boilers.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM STEWART 147

With the exception of these few buildings and a
little patch of cleared land, formerly part of Stanton's
farm, all that portion of the city lying north of the
Erie and east of the Oswego canals, was covered with
a heavy growth of timber and underbrush, with num-
erous paths leading to the various spots where wood
had been cut for the purpose of making salt.

The first lock formerly stood but a few yards east
of Mulberry street bridge.

" Vinegar Hill " then, as now, consisted of several
shanties and old rookeries, erected there to catch the
trade of the passing boatmen.

In 1840, Captain Joel Cody finished his contract
for building the present first lock. The old one was
torn down and " Vinegar Hill " removed to its present
quarters.

In 1824, a small boat, half the size of the common
boats of the present day, made regular trips every two
hours between Syracuse and Salina.

Augustus Spencer was the first captain of this boat.
He was succeeded by Cax3tain William Stewart, the
present famous landlord of the Syracuse House. Cap-
tain Stewart commanded his boat with great dignity,
and treated his passengers with the utmost politeness
and attention. The gallant captain exhibited as much
pride while pacing the quarter deck of his small craft
as do the commanders of the ocean steamers of the
present day.

148 chexey's reminiscences

The first circus that ever performed iu Syra-
cuse occupied the vacant lot on the corner of Church
and Salina streets, at present occupied by the Onon-
daga Temperance House.

The first horse show was attended bj^ nearly all
the citizens, and a full delegation of Onondaga Indians ;
and Syracuse immediately acquired a reputation as a
" good show town," which it has preserved even to
the present day.

The success of this circus led to the building of a
circus house in 1825 by Andrew N. Van Patten and
John Rodgers, on the ground now occupied by the
stables of the Onondaga Temperance House. This
circus house was subsequently turned into a livery
stable with a cooper's shop in the rear, and a long two
story building, owned and occupied by Mr. Goings
as a carpenter and joiner's shop, was erected on the
towing path in the rear of the circus building with an
alley of about twenty-five feet between the buildings.

On the evening of Friday, August 20, 1841, a fire
broke out in the carpenter's shop, which was occupied
by Charles Goings. The building was soon sur-
rounded by a crowd of firemen and citizens, using
their utmost efforts to extinguish the fiames, when
suddenly a terrible explosion took place, filling the
air with flying cinders, and scattering death and
destruction around. This catastrophe was one of the
most distressing events that ever occurred in the

THE POWDER EXPLOSION 149

history of this or any other city, and we have there-
fore given a very full description of the calamity,
copied from the files of papers of that year.

[A condensed report from the newspaper files re-
ferred to is as follows : The alarm of fire was given
at half past nine o'clock. The wooden building
situated on the tow path of the Oswego canal, nearly
in the rear of the County Clerk's office and occupied
as a joiner's shop by Charles Goings, was on fire.
The fire appeared to have commenced in the top of
the building. The cry of "Powder! Powder! There
is powder in the building ! " was heard. The im-
mense crowd rushed back, but the move was only
momentary. Most of those nearest the fire maintained
their position, and very few appeared to place any
credit in the report. Suddenly, a tremendous explo-
sion took place, comj^letely extinguishing the fire and
demolishing the building. The explosion lasted some
three or four seconds, and its effects were felt for over
twenty miles around. The noise of the explosion
having ceased, all was still for a moment, and then
the most heart-rending groans were distinctly heard.
Everything was in total darkness. All was confusion.
Although the sight of the dead and the dying was
horrible, it was scarcely less than that of the living
inquiring for their relatives — parents for their chil-
dren, and wives, almost frantic with despair, for their
husbands.

150 Cheney's reminiscences

[Oil Saturday the village was shrouded in mourn-
ing. The stores were all closed. Business was out
of the question. Hundreds of people from the
country towns came hurrying in, on learning the
awful intelligence, to see the spot so fruitful with
distress, and to know the particulars of the sad affair.
Sunday was a busy day in entombing the dead.
Early in the day the funeral procession commenced
from different directions, and from the several
churches; and there was one contijiual succession of
corpses passing to the lonely sepulchre. The several
churches were crowded. The clergymen were most
solemn and impassioned in their addresses. A deeper
sadness never pervaded so large congregations.

[Parley Bassett, the Coroner, summoned the
following i^ersons to form a jury of inquest : Johnson
Hall, as foreman; Pliny Dickinson, Lewis H. Red-
field, D. S. Colvin, William A. Cook, Thomas T.
Davis, Samuel Larned, Rial Wright, Philo D.
Mickles, Harmon W. Van Buren, Daniel Elliott,
Ashbel Kellogg, Thomas G. Alvord, Elijah W.
Curtis, Jared H. Parker, Amos P. Granger. The
Coroner's jury closed its business on Monday evening,
August 23. The report showed that Hugh T. Gib-
son, Ezra H. Hough, Thomas Betts, Elijah Jones,
Zebina Dwight, William Conklin, Benjamin F.
Johnson, Elisha Ladd, George W. Burdick, Isaac
Stanton, William B. Close, George Gorman, Horace

THE POWDER EXPLOSION 151

T. Q-oings, Charles A. Moffit, Loren L. Cheney,
Horatio N. Cheney, John Durnford, jr., Hanson
Maynard, Noah Hoyt, Joel Kohlhamer, Matthew
Smelt, James M. Barker, Charles Miller, Benjamin
T. Barker, Charles Austin — twenty-five in number —
came to their deaths by the explosion of 27 or 28 kegs
of gunpowder in a carpenter and joiner's shop, then
on fire. In the belief of the jury, the shop was set on
fire by some person or persons unknown to the
jurors. The powder was the property of William
Malcolm and Albert A. Hudson, and was secretly
stored in the shop by Mr. Hudson and Charles
Goings, with the knowledge and consent of Mr.
Malcolm, contrary to the published and known
ordinances of the village, and without the cognizance
or consent of the village Trustees.

[A public meeting was held Monday evening, pre-
sided over by Hiram Putnam, President of the village.
D. D. Hillis was made Secretary. A committee was
appointed to obtain subscriptions and to afford relief
to those families who needed aid in their sudden
bereavement. The committee from Syracuse was
composed of Daniel Dana, M. D. Burnet, A. P.
Granger, Charles L. Lynds, and Wing Russell; from
Salina, Ashbel Kellogg and Colonel E. D. Hopping.
At the meeting, about .$1,800 was subscribed, of which
amount the firm of Malcolm & Hudson subscribed
$500, and William Malcolm $500.]

152 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

On the south side of the Erie canal and on the
corner now occupied by Stone & Ball, jewelers, and
Sabey & Weaver, hatters, there stood in 1824, a two-
story frame building, known as the "Coffin Block."
The name was given to the block on account of its
fancied resemblance to that receptacle for the dead.
The first and second stories on the extreme corner
were then occupied by John Durnford as a book
store, lottery ticket and printing office.

From this corner the first number of the Onon-
daga Gazette, the first paper ever issued in this city,
was printed by John Durnford, our present worthy
Justice of the Peace. The first number was issued
Wednesday morning, April 2, 1823. In his
' ' address " to the public, the publisher lays down the
following views and principles :

" Notwithstanding it may be said the State already
abounds with newspapers, yet the rapid growth of
the country, and the happy location of this village, in
connection with its other advantages, are sufficient to
warrant the belief that ere long Syracuse and its
vicinity will afford an adequate support to this estab-
lishment, and raise up a monumental trophy of the
wisdom and enterprise of the canal projectors."

The price of the paper was $2 per year, payable
half yearly, when received from the office or sent to
mail subscribers ; but when sent to village subscribers
it was $2.50. The Gazette was a weekly paper,

THE FIRST POSTMASTER 153

published on a 12 by 17 sheet, four pages, with five
columns to the page. On the 31st of March, 1824,
the paper appeared under the name of the Syracuse
Oazette.

The Syracuse Gazette was published by Mr. Durn-
ford until 1829, when Lewis H. Redfield of the
Onondaga Register, then published at Onondaga
Hollow, came to Syracuse, bought out Mr. Durnford
and united the two papers under the name of The
Syracuse Oazette and Onondaga Register. He con-
tinued to publish this paper until 1831, when it was
transferred to other hands.

In 1824, Henry W. Durnford occupied the first
store east of the Syracuse Oazette ofiice, as a drug
store. He also kept an assortment of groceries,
crockery and liquors, and transacted a large and
profitable business.

That year it was deemed necessary, for the con-
venience of the public, to remove the post-office, then
under the charge of John Wilkinson, to some more
convenient location than General Granger's store.
Mr. Wilkinson made selection of Mr. Durnford's
store as the location for the new post-office, and con-
sulted with him in regard to the matter. Mr. Durn-
ford raised the objection of a lack of room for all the
purposes of the post-office. Mr. Wilkinson thought
difi^erent, and to convince the incredulous storekeeper,
crossed the canal and returned, bearing the whole

154 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

post-office, boxes, mail bags, mail matter, ami all the
appurtenances on his shoulders. This feat convinced
Mr. Durnford that he had plenty of room, in which
to accommodate the post-office.

The first store east of the drug store was occupied
by John Rodgers & Company, as a dry goods store.
Mr. Rodgers was an energetic, enterprising man, and
is now one of the millionaires of Chicago, and ^dsits
the scene of his early prosperity yearly.

Between the store of Mr. Rodgers and the drug
store, there was a wide hall-like entrance leading to
the printing office in the second story, and the rooms
occupied as a dwelling by Mr. Van Velzer.

GeneralJonas Mann began in 1824 to build a store
on the corner now occupied by the bookstore of Peck
& Rudd. He also commenced to build as a dwelling
house the present famous "Cook's Coffee House."
He moved his family here the next season, and
during the. summer finished both buildings.

Henry Newton occupied the first store east of Mr.
Mann's building as a grocery and general assortment
store. Mr. Newton afterwards formed a partnership
with A. Root, in the boot and shoe business, on the
north side of the canal.

Joseph Slocum carried on the dry goods business,
and also kept a general assortment of wares and
merchandise, next east of Mr. Newton's grocery.

A. N. Van Patten carried on the dry goods.

THE GREAT FIRE OF 1834 155

grocery and provision business in the first store east
of Mr. Slocum's grocery.

Over the store a man by the name of Thompson
kept a billiard table during the fall and -winter.

Deacon Phelps kept a stove store and grocery on
the first floor, and a tin shop in the second story of
the first building east of Mr. Van Patten's store.
Between the tin shop and Warren street, there were a
series of vacant lots. These lots were subsequently
occupied by fine blocks of stores. In 1834, they were
all reduced to a heap of smouldering ruins. The
burning of these two blocks, comprising ten buildings
of different dimensions, with eleven buildings on the
north side of the canal, was the first great calamity
that ever befell the embryo city. This fire occurred
Friday night, March 15, 1831. The fire broke out in
the store of B. F. Rodgers, nearly opposite the
Syracuse House. The Syracuse House was saved by
the greatest exertions. The east wing, containing the
Onondaga County Bank, was several times on fire.
The loss caused by the fire was about $75,000, of
which one-half was insured.

On the corner now occupied by Murphy, McCarthy
& Company, hardware dealers, John Rodgers carried
on in 1824, the storage, forwarding and commission
business, in connection with his dry goods store.
The building was burned down afterwards.

White & Clark occupied the first store east, and

156 Cheney's reminiscences

dealt in all descriptions of merchandise and produce.
They were also engaged in the storage and commis-
sion business in the building then standing next east
of their store.

Joseph Slocum occupied the first building east of
White & Clark's storehouse, and carried on a general
storage and commission business. There was but one
other building then standing between Mr. Slocum's
storehouse and the old canal basin. It was a little,
low frame building, standing on the bank of the
basin, partly hid by the bushes that grew in great
profusion in that region. Joseph Thompson kept a
small grocery in the building and derived most of his
custom from the canal boatmen by furnishing them
with "supplies." In 1824, the i)resent site of the
weigh-lock, market hall, hay market and public
square, as far south as the railroad, there formed
what was known as the canal basin. It was a
miserable, nasty hole and was the dread of all the
inhabitants, because it tainted and infected the whole
atmosphere with disease. A small barn stood on the
south side of this basin, with a path on one side
leading into it, which was used as a watering place
for cattle and horses.

In 1824, Parley Howlett and Barent Filkins built
a slaughter house on the ground, and the same house
is at present occupied by Joe Tasker's well known
cottage.

FAYETTE PARK IN 1824 157

Water street, east of the basin, had been laid off
as a street, but had not been worked to any extent.
A few trees and a quantity of nnderbrnsh had been
cut and a few rails laid in the worst miring places,
so that by dint of hard work and hard swearing a
team could be got through to old Mr, Russell's pot-
tery. This pottery stood on the ground now occupied
by James L. Greeiiman, storage and commission
house. It was carried on by an old man named Rus-
sell, who manufactured jars, jugs, mugs, milk pans
and all other articles commonly made at such estab-
lishments. He resided in a small frame house a little
south of his pottery.

Mulberry street was almost impassible for teams
in 1824, the ground being very low and marshy in
that section.

The State owned a small frame house on the heel-
path side of the old first lock, which was known and
used as a lock house. The building is now standing
and forms part of Hatch, Rust & Randall's lumber
and coal office.

In 1824 all that portion of our city lying between
Mulberry street and Lodi on the south side of the
canal was an unreclaimed cedar swamp. The present
Fayette Park with the splendid residences of our
merchants and business men was then a favorite
resort for foxes, rabbits and wild fowl, forming a
capital shooting ground. North and east of the park

158 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

the sonorous croakings of the bull frog served to
enliven the otherwise dismal scenery.

This swamp was full of rotten logs and stumps
from which issued a deadly miasma containing the
whole list of fevers, fro.m the fever and ague to the
typhoid and brain fever. The Genesee turnpike
passed through this swamp and consisted of an ill
laid corduroy road that tested the strength of horses
and wagons and the skill and moral training of all
teamsters having occasion to pass it.

Captain Oliver Teall owned and run two small saw
mills on the north side of the Erie canal, near the Lodi
locks. He obtained the water which moved his mills
by tapping the canal. He was then Canal Superin-
tendent under Henry Seymour, Canal Commissioner,
and obtained the right to use the water for running
his mills from the State.

It was this successful tapping of the great " Clin-
ton Ditch " that gave the well known captain such a
decided partiality to cold water over all other fluids.
It was this very tapping of the Erie which led him to
conceive and carry out the grand idea of tapping
mother earth, filling a huge reservoir with the crystal
nectar, and forcing it through great iron arteries and
veins to the very heart and extremities of our flour-
ishing city.

The captain lived in a small house built by the
State for a lock house. There were about a dozen

TAVERN KEPT BY JOHN H. LATHROP 159

little houses scattered about the locks, and occupied
by the employes on the locks and the canal.

John H. Lathrop kept a tavern in a mediiim-sized
house, standing on the block lying southeast of the
orphan asylum on the Genesee turnpike. He had a
fine well on his premises affording the best water in
the country. People coming from the east to trade or
barter in Syracuse would stop with Mr. Lathrop, and
from his house they would go to the village and trade
during the day, returning as the shades of evening-
fell on the gloomy swamp to his house for food and
lodging. They did this in preference to jjutting up
at one of the village taverns and running the risk of
the ague.

At that time Syracuse was considered as the most
unhealthy spot in the valley, and people were inclined
to believe that the city would be built on the Lodi
hills in preference to the middle of a cedar swamp.
But the projectors and proprietors of the embryo city
did not weaver even for an instant in their choice of a
location for the village. The present large, flourish-
ing, healthy, wealthy city is the reward of their judg-
ment and faith.

The " Holden House" stood nearly opposite of Mr.
Lathrop's tavern, and was then used as a dwelling.

At the foot of the hill, near the swamp, on the
Genesee turnpike, Lemuel J. Benton commenced in
1825 to manufacture brick.

160 CHENEYS REMINISCENCES

Henry Shattuck, the present policeman, and Abner
Chapman, Supervisor from Onondaga, worked as
moulders in this brick yard.

Coming west from the brick yard the mind's eye
found nothing to remember, nothing to describe, but
a low sickly cedar swamp and corduroy road, until you
reached what now forms a large part of the heart of
our city.

This swamp was the f eai: of all the inhabitants and
the dread of all in search of a location for a future
residence. But the art of man has reclaimed the
" Dismal Swamp," and it now forms one of the most
beautiful and healthy sections of tl^e city.

Samuel Phelps kept a blacksmith shop on the lot
now occupied by the Home Association. The shop was
in a two-story building, with the front towards Gen-
esee street. The second story Mr. Phelps occujDied as a
dwelling. The family reached their rooms by means of
an outside pair of stairs. The ground upon which the
shop stood was so low and marshy that the fall rains
made a large pond all around the building. In the
winter this pond formed a famous skating ground for
the boys of the village.

In 182-4, the remains of a small log house, formerly
standing on the southwest corner of Genesee and Mont-
gomery streets, were visible. In this house Albion
Jackson was born about the year 1802. Mr. Jackson
was the first white child born within the limits of this

SITE FOR OLD ST. PAUL's CHURCH 161

city. Shortly after his birth, Mr. Jackson's father
moved to Canada and was gone for some eighteen
years before he returned.

The ground upon which the Granger block now
stands was, in 1824, a fine little green meadow. That
year John Durnf ord, Archy Kasson and John Rodgers
were appointed a committee by the Episcopal Society,
authorized and empowered to select a site for a church
edifice.

Mr. Durnford advocated the selection of this
meadow as the proposed site. The other members of
the committee offered an objection to the lot "that it
was too far from the village," but finally coincided
with Mr. Durnford in his choice, and the committee
reported accordingly. The report was adopted, and
immediate measures taken to erect the necessary
building.

Deacon Wright obtained the contract for perform-
ing the carpenter work, and assumed the general su-
perintendence of putting up the building. The build-
ing was completed in the year 1825. It was used a
number of years by the Episcopalians, and then sold
to the Roman Catholics, who removed it to the corner
of Montgomery and Madison streets, where it is still
standing.

The millinery store of Mrs. Gillmore was erected
in 1824 by John Rodgers, then one of the most
enterprising men in the village. The mason work

162 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

was performed by a man from Maiilius, named
Dwinnelle.

On the ground now occupied by the Bastable
block, there stood, in 1824, a little frame house
occupied by a Mr. Walker. These were the only
buildings then standing on the block opposite the
Granger block.

A small, yellow building, was then standing next
east of "Cook's Coffee House," which has since been
moved back and a brick front built to it.

Henry Van Husen owned and occupied a black-
smith shop on the corner of Genesee and Warren
streets, where the Tremont House now stands. His
shop was a hard-looking concern, and was not much
of an ornament to the village, even in those primitive
days. The building stood about a foot and a half
below the level of the mud sidewalk. His customers
used to complain of the distance to be traveled and
the great depth of mud to be waded through before
his shop could be reached from the village. In rainy
weather it was almost impossible to reach his shop
on account of the mud.

The street and square was then some four feet
lower than at the present day, and formed one of the
worst roads for tlie passage of teams tliat can be
imagined. I have frequently seen teams with an
ordinary load get set in the deep mud, and remain for
some time before they could be extricated.

THE SYRACUSE HOUSE 103

Henry Durnford resided in a small white house on
the ground now occupied by Gay's Hotel. The house
fronted the south. He had a white fence around his
lot, and a beautiful flower garden in front of his
house. It was a very pretty, cozy, little dwelling.

About the year 18;20, Buel & Safford purchased
the ground now occupied by the Syracuse House, and
commenced the erection of the Syracuse Hotel.
During the progress of the building, Mr. Safford fell
from the scaffolding and was killed. This accident
caused a temporary suspension of the work, until the
property went into the possession of Mr. Eckford,
who completed the building in 1822.

The building was of brick, three stories in height,
fifty feet square, with a roof pitching north and south,
with brick battlements on the east and west ends, and
chimneys on the ends of the upper brake. The front
entrance was through the present shoe store of T.
Ryan,

The stables stood well back from Genesee street,
extending nearly to the present railroad depot. There
was a large yard attached to the house and stables,
in which stood a number of old dilapidated out-build-
ings. The entrance to the yard was through a large
gateway, then standing on the present site of Butler,
Townsend & Company's dry goods store.

After the premises fell into the hands of the Syra-
cuse Company they were rebuilt and named the

164 Cheney's reminiscences

Syracuse House. The original building has since been
enlarged and improved, and is now one of the best
hotels in this region.

James Mann was the landlord of the Syracuse
Hotel, which was then the headquarters of the differ-
ent lines of stages. In 1824 Jason C. Woodruff drove
stage between Elbridge and this place. He performed
the duties of his oflSce with great dignity, and was
wont to wheel his favorite coach up to the door of the
Syracuse Hotel with an exhibition of great skill and
training. From the post of driver, Mr. Woodruff, by
his own unaided exertions, raised himself into the
position of proprietor of a line of stages, and has since
filled several offices of trust and honor in the county,
with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow
citizens.

Colonel Elijah Phillips had his stage office in an
east room of the Syracuse Hotel. The Colonel was
very prompt and exact in his business operations, and
for years a stage never drew up to his office without
finding him ready to give or receive the way bill. It
was a common expression in those days that "Time
and Colonel Phillips wait for no man."

Next east of the gate leading to the stables of the
Syracuse House, a man named Waterbury owned a
small frame building. On the first floor he kept a
little grocery. His stock in trade consisted of a
small quantity of poor whiskey, a few plugs of

HOUSES IN EAST GENESEE STREET 165

tobacco, a handful of pipes, and about eighty-eight
cents worth of comic valentines. His family lived in
the second story and reached their place of residence
by means of a flight of stairs built on the outside of
the building. That year Joel Owens bought out
Waterbury's establishment, and still remains in
possession of the property.

Next east of Waterbury's, there was standing a
two-story building, considerable larger than its
western neighbor. The first floor was occupied as a
dwelling house. The second story was occupied by
Jabez Hawley, as a chair factory. These old build-
ings were rather unprepossessing in their appearance,
being of a dirty wood color, from having never made
the improving acquaintance of a paint pot and brush.

A small house stood next east of Mr. Hawley's
shop, which was occupied by a person whose name is
forgotten, as a grocery and drinking house. It was
originally painted white, but the color had worn off,
and in 1824 the house had a forlorn and dingy appear-
ance. Between this house and the blacksmith shop
on the corner of Warren and Genesee streets, the
ground was vacant.

Archy Kasson built a dwelling house in 1824, on
the ground now occupied by the Central Railroad
company's ticket office.

The square upon which now stands the Onondaga
County Bank, Bank of Syracuse, Dillaye block,

16G CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

Episcopal church and St. Charles Hotel, ^Yas in 1824:
a vacant lot, covered with a few scattered trees.

In 1825, " The First Presbyterian Society of Syra-
cuse" built a church on the ground now occupied by the
new and beautiful Dillaye block. The church was
finished in the fall and dedicated in January, 1826.
The original churcli was enlarged and improved
several years ago, but in 18-19 the increasing demands
of the society rendered it necessary to build a new
edifice. It was accordingly sold, and the present
ornament to the city erected in 1850.

The Rev. Dr. John W. Adams was ordained and
installed pastor of the new church in June, 1826. Dr.
Adams continued to act in that capacity until death
claimed him as her own in 1850. Dr. Adams was a
very exemplary man. He centered and united the
afl^ections of his whole flock about his great heart,
and died after a long life of usefulness and devotion
to his God, deeply mourned by all who ever had the
pleasure and profit of his acquaintance.

This entire square, with the exception of the
church lot, was afterwards offered to the county free
of charge, if the Supervisors would agree to build the
court house and jail upon it. After some deliberation
on the matter, the offer was refused by the Board.

A small unpainted house, with an L, stood nearly
on the opposite site of the Washington block. The
main part of this house was occupied by Widow

YELLOW BROOK 167

Stewart, and the L by a Mr. Wheeler. Mrs. Stewart is
the mother-in-law of John Hnrst, our worthy Justice
of the Peace. She is now over eighty years of age,
straight and active as a girl of eighteen. She was
one of the early settlers of this county, and formerly
resided at Liverpool.

A farm house belonging to the Syracuse Company,
and occupied by Jacob Hausenfrats, stood on the
present site of Captain Thomas Wheeler's residence,
on what was then a little knoll. The barn stood on
the ground now occupied by the residence of William'
B. Kirk, and a corn house stood a little east of the
dwelling.

Mr. Hausenfrats worked the farm on shares for
the company, and had a large wheat field, extending
from the First Methodist church west, nearly on the
line of Jefferson street, to his house. Between the
house and village, a small brook, called Yellow
Brook, ran from the swamp and emptied into the old
mill pond. The passage of water through this brook
had cut a ravine over fifteen feet deep where it
crossed Salina street. Previous to 1824, there was a
bridge across this brook, on Salina street, but by
means of a sluice, the ravine had been partly filled up,
and the bridge removed.

All south of the wheat field was a young unclaimed
forest, thickly overgrown with underbrush.

Zophar H. Adams manufactured brick in 1824,

168 Cheney's reminiscences

_ on the west side of Salina street, a little south of the
farm house, I think Dr. Westcott's residence stands
on the ground then used as a brick-yard.

South Salina street was then full six feet higher
than at the present day, and very irregular, passing
over a series of mounds or hillocks, the whole
distance, making a bad road to travel with a loaded
team.

That portion of our city now known as Onondaga
street, or Cinder road, was in IS "24 a cedar swamp,
with any quantity of old logs, stumps and trunks of
fallen trees, slowly going to decay, and filling the air
with noxious vapors. Wherever the land was
sufficiently firm and dry to afford a suitable soil, there
a very luxuriant growth of blackberry bushes had
sprung up, yielding innumerable quarts of that
delicious fruit.

This swamp was also a great resort for game, and
has been the scene of many hunting and blackberry-
ing adventures to the children of a larger growth, as
well as to the youth of Syracuse and vicinity. The
swamp extended from the j)ond as far as Colonel
Johnson's present residence.

That year, the proprietor of Mickles' Furnace gen-
erously appropriated the cinders formedby his furnace,
to the filling up of the road through the swamp. A
cart with two horses, driven tandem, and a man to
load, drive and deposit the cinders, was furnished by

THE OLD CINDER ROAD 169

the Syracuse Company, and the drawing of cinders
was continued until a coat of them had been placed
on the road a foot and a half thick. This gave it the
name of Cinder road, which it has ever since retained.

A man named Finch lived in a small log house
near the reservoir on the Cinder road. This man was
very dissipated, and finally died in that house.

Thurlow Weed's father lived, previous to 1824, on
the Cinder road near Colonel Johnson's, in a small
log house.

The canal basin, between Salina and Clinton streets,
was not as large in 1824 as at the present time. It
was so narrow as scarcely to afford turning room for
even the small boats used in those days. When an
extra amount of water was let into the canal the banks
of this basin were frequently overflowed, and the cel-
lars in the vicinity filled with water.

A small foot bridge, with stairs on each end, spanned
the canal several yards east of the present Clinton
street bridge. At the foot of this bridge on the south-
east side. Deacon Chamberlain, father-in-law of ex-
Mayor Stevens, kept a meat market in a small frame
building painted yellow.

Hiram Hyde kept two store houses adjoining each
other on the ground now occupied by the old Raynor
block, a little west of Clinton street bridge. Mr. Hyde
was a son-in-law of Joshua Forman, and a man of
enterprise and integrity. He died in 1825 of con-
sumption.

170 Cheney's reminiscences

There were no other buildings on the north side of
Water street, between Salina street and Onondaga
creek.

LeGrand and William Crowfoot carried on the man-
ufacture of brick on the ground at present occupied
by Greenway's Malt House on West Water street.

In the spring of 1824, Kasson & Heermans carried
on the hardware business in a small wooden building
standing on the corner of Salina and Water streets.
During the summer they tore down the wooden build-
ing and erected a three-story brick block seventy feet
deep. The building was afterwards occupied by Hor-
ace and Charles A. Wheaton as a hardware store, and
in 1840 it was destroyed by fire, together with a long-
row of small wooden buildings, extending nearly to
the Townsend block.

Wieting block and hall was erected and finished
during the years 1849-50. On the oth of January,
1856, one of the coldest days during the winter, this
beautiful block was burned to the gro.und. Dr. Wiet-
ing at once took measures for the erection of a new
block if possible larger, better and more beautiful
than the former one.

Cheney & Wilcox obtained tlie contract for per-
forming the mason work on the building. Under
their combined efforts and the superintending eyes of
Dr. Wieting and H. N. White, the architect, the
building rose like a phoenix from the ashes, larger,

DR. JOHN M. WIETING 171

better and more substantial and beantiful than the
former splendid block. The hall is one of the best in
the State, and is not excelled out of New York in
point of convenience and beaut5^ The Doctor deserves
great credit for his unremitted exertions and lavish
expenditure of money. The new hall was dedicated
on the 9th of December, 1856, eleven months from the
date of the destruction of the former building.

During the summer of 1824, William Malcolm put
up a frame building on the ground now forming the
centre of the Wieting block on Water street. He
occupied this building the following spring as a hard-
ware store. Mr. Malcolm also built a dwelling house
on the present site of the Malcolm block. The Syra-
cuse Company put up three or four small wooden
buildings west of Malcolm's, which they let to different
persons as stores and groceries.

Moses D. Burnet occupied a small frame building
standing a little west of the Syracuse Company's store,
as an office. A large hickory tree stood in front of his
office, affording a fine shade. Major Burnet was an
energetic, enterprising man, and in the spring of 1824
was appointed the agent of the Syracuse Company.
He has since occupied several offices of profit and trust
with ability and success. He was once elected Mayor
of the city, but refused to serve. The Major is a
whole-souled man, and is now quietly enjoying the
rewards of his early labors.

172 chexey's reminiscences

Ambrose Kasson lived in a small frame house
standing a little west of Major Burnet's office. John
Durnford occupied a dwelling next west of Mr. Kas-
son's. These two houses had very pretty yards in
front, filled with flower beds and shrubbery.

Dr. M. Williams came to this place in 1824, and
established himself in the practice of medicine. The
Doctor for some months kept his office in the front
room over General Granger's store, and boarded with
him. He then moved to the south side of the canal,
and occupied a part of Judge Forman's office, and
boarded in his family. He subsequently became the
son-in-law of Judge Forman.

The Doctor was a hard-working, go-ahead man,
and by his influence contributed greatly to the pros-
perity of the embryo city. The village was known
throughout the country as a most unhealthy locality.
The Doctor combatted the idea with all his powers,
claiming that the day was not far distant when the
village would be a " city of refuge" for consumption
patients. The prediction, to our knowledge, has
proven true in a large number of cases, and we can
safely claim that Sj^racuse is one of the most healthy
localities in the State. Dr. Williams of to-day is the
Dr. Williams of 1821, in dress and personal appear-
ance. He does not appear to change or grow old in
the least.

Clinton street was not passable for teams in 1824:.

JOSHUA FORMAN 173

Judge Joshua Forman moved to this place in the fall
of 1819, and occupied as a dwelling the house now
standing next west of the " Climax House " on Water
street. In 1824 he was still living in the same house,
and had a large garden extending from Clinton street
down Water street to Franklin street, and back to
Fayette street. The garden was well stocked with
fruit, and was tended by a Protestant Irishman, named
Montgomery, a very intelligent, faithful man. The
Judge was the father of the canal and of Syracuse.

Colonel Stone, formerly editor of the New York
Commercial Advertiser, in giving an account of a
western journey, compares Syracuse in 1820 with
Syracuse in 1810 in the following language: "Mr.
Forman was in one sense the father of the canal.
That is, being a member of the Legislature in 1807,
he moved the first resolution of inquiry upon the sub-
ject of opening a channel of artificial navigation from
the Hudson river to the great lakes. And from that
day to the completion of the stupendous work, in 1825,
his exertions were unremitting and powerful in the
cause. Passing as the canal does, close by the head
of Onondaga lake, within a toss of a biscuit of some
of the salt s^Drings, and within two miles of the prin-
cipal and strongest fountain at Salina, Mr. Forman
saw the immense advantages which the site of this
place presented for a town ; with the completion of
the middle section of the canal, Syracuse was begun.

174 chexey's reminiscences

At the period of iny first visit, but a few scattered and
indifferent wooden houses had been erected amid the
stumps of the recently felled trees. I lodged for a
night at a miserable tavern, thronged by a company of
salt boilers from Salina, forming a group of about as
rough looking sj)ecimens of humanity as I had ever
seen. Their wild visages, beards thick and long,
matted hair, even now rise up in dark, distant and
picturesque perspective before me. I j)assed a restless
night, disturbed by strange fancies, as I yet well
remember. It was in October and a flurry of snow
during the night had rendered the morning aspect of
the country more dreary than the evening before.
The few houses I have already described, standing
upon low and almost marshy ground, and surrounded
by trees and entangled thickets, presented a very un-
inviting scene. 'Mr. Forman,' said I, 'do you call
this a village ? It would make an owl weep to fly over
it.' ' Never mind,' said he in reply, ' you will live to
see it a city yet.'

"These words were prophetical. The contrast be-
tween the appearance of the town then and now is
wonderful. A city it now is in extent, and the mag-
nitude and durability of its dwellings.

"As I glanced upward and around, upon splendid
hotels, rows of massive buildings in all directions, and
the lofty spires of churches glittering in the sun, and
traversed the extended and well built streets, thronged

THE FIRST BURYIXG GROUXD 175

with people full of life and activity — the canal basins
crowded with boats lading and unlading at the large
and lofty stone warehouses upon the wharves — the
change seemed like one of enchantment."

Judge Forman went to Washington to see Thomas
Jefferson in regard to the canal, but did not meet with
success, that great statesman remarking: "You are
a hundred years too soon with your project." The
Judge met and overcame all obstacles in his project
of building a city at this point, and so long as Syra-
cuse preserves a place in the list of cities, Joshua For-
man will be known and honored by its inhabitants.

Judge Webb built the stone house lately used as a
United States recruiting office, on Water street, in
1824, and occupied it as a dwelling house.

The first burying ground in Syracuse comprised a
little knoll on Fayette street, near its junction with
Clinton street. Fifteen or twenty persons were buried
there, and their bodies have never been removed.
Thousands are constantly passing over the ground,
wholly unconscious that they are passing over the last
resting place of those who once as proudly trod the
soil of Syracuse.

The old burying ground on Water and Franklin
streets was laid out in 1819 by John Wilkinson and
Owen Forman, at the same time they laid out the
" Walton Tract " into village lots. The first person
buried there was the wife of Deacon Spencer, sister of

176 chene;y's reminiscences

G. B. Fish, of this city. The second person buried
there was a Mr. West, a circus rider, who was killed
by a fall in the old circus house.

The old log dam across the creek on Water street
was removed in 1824, and a large stone one erected in
its place. The dam stood where Water street bridge
now crosses the creek. The pond extended over a
great extent of country, running up to the then new
cemetery, up Fayette street to the old cemetery and
up Clinton street to the Cinder road. In 1849, this
pond was filled up by earth conveyed from Prospect
Hill, and the great cause of sickness and death in our
city was effectually removed. The ground thus made
is now partly occupied by the freight depot and works
of the Binghamton railroad, the coal yards of Messrs.
Cobb and Hatch, Rush & Company, the residence of
Jason C. Woodruff and a number of other buildings.

An old saw mill, pretty much used up, stood a
little east of the stone mill, and was run by Maron
Lee as sawyer.

The stone mill was built in 1825 by Samuel Booth
for the Syracuse Company.

A man named Clapp, familiarly known as " Old
Sandy," lived in the swamp on the ground at present
covered by the round house of the Central Railroad
Company. He was a very eccentric man.

The rest of the country west of the creek was a
swamp full of rotten logs, stumps, brush, etc., the
fear of all the inhabitants.

HOUSES IN SOUTH SALINA STREET 177

James Pease came here in 1824, from Lyons, by
the canal, and brought a small frame house on a boat,
which he put upon the ground now occupied by the
Mechanics' Bank. In this house, Mr. Pease manufac-
tured and sold boots and shoes for a great many years.
He was a very exemplary man, and was liked and
respected by the whole village.

In 1824, an^alley was, by common consent, left open
between Kasson & Company's hardware store, on the
corner and Mr. Pease's shop, for the purpose of allow-
ing teams to pass to the rear of the stores fronting on
Water street. This alley was to remain open forever,
but it is now covered by one of Dr. Wieting's splendid
stores.

In 1824:, Theodore Ashley bought out a man named
Kneeland, who kej^t a chair factory next south of
James Pease's shoe shop. Mr. Ashley entered into
the manufacture of chairs and cabinet ware, and con-
tinued in the same branch of business until the time
of his death in 1855. Mr. Ashley was a prompt busi-
ness man, and fair in all his dealings. He was for
several years City Sexton and died regretted by a large
circle of friends and acquaintances.

There was standing in 1824, on the ground now cov-
ered by the Syracuse City Bank, an old frame build-
ing occupied for various purposes. In 1828, Grove
Lawrence removed this old building and erected in its
stead a fine brick block.

178 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

In 1810, Joliii Wilkinson, in company with Owen
Forman, a brother of the Judge, came here from Onon-
daga Hollow, and under the direction of Judge For-
man proceeded to lay out the Walton Tract into
village lots. This survey was not accomplished with-
out the severest labor. The old lines and marks of
the tract were nearly obliterated, and it was with the
greatest difficulty that they found with .any degree of
certainty the starting point of the original survey.
The survey was completed after several weeks of hard
labor. Part of the Walton Tract was laid out into
village lots, and the remainder into farm lots of from
five to ten acres. After the completion of the survey,
Mr. Wilkinson built an office on the corner now occu-
pied by the Globe Hotel, and commenced the practice
of law. The office was a small one, being but twelve
by fourteen, and Mr. Wilkinson Avas heartily ridiculed
for putting his office out in the fields. That location
now forming the business centre of our flourishing
city was then out of town.

In February, 1820, a post-office was established in
Syracuse, and Mr. Wilkinson was appointed postmas-
ter. In May, LS'^o, when the first election for village
officers was held,. Mr. Wilkinson was elected clerk,

Mr. Wilkinson has since held several offices of
profit and trust, with honor and distinction. When
railroads were first successfully put in operation, Mr.

Wilkinson closely investigated their workings and

JOHN WILKINSON 179

principles, and liis gigantic mind comi^reliending on
tlie instant their immense advantages and ultimate
supersedence over the common post roads, he entered
at once largely into railroad affairs, and is now em-
phatically a railroad king. He was for several years
President of the Syracuse and Utica railroad, and by
iiis influence succeeded in having the work shops of
that road built at Syracuse, thus adding the hardy
population of the Fifth ward to our city. He is now
the President of the Michigan Southern road, and
under his skillful management that road is now one
of the best in the Union. Mr. Wilkinson is a great
favorite with the traveling public, and is loved and
respected by all railroad men, who would do anything
for him.

In 1824, Mr. Wilkinson built a residence a little
southwest of his office, where he resided a number of
years. He now lives in one of the most beautiful
palaces on James street, Mr. Heermans built a house
a little south of Mr. Wilkinson's, which he occupied
as a dwelling for a number of years.

The Syracuse Company built a frame house in
1824, on the ground at present covered by D. McCar-
thy & Company's mammoth stores.

Kirk's Tavern was built by John Garrison in 1824.
The house is now standing, and is kept by E. G.
Smith. At the time it was built, the mud on Salina
street was hardly wadeable. Overshoes were of no

I

180 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

account in those days, and boots were hardly a
protection against the mud and water. Mechanics at
work in the village refused to board there, giving as
a reason that the house was so far out from the main
village, and the street was so muddy they could not
get to their meals. Mr. Kirk came here in 182G, and
opened the house as a tavern. He was for a number
of years the sole proprietor, and enjoyed the reputa-
tion of being a first-rate landlord. He was a favorite
with the country people, and his house was always
filled with them. He retired from active life several
years ago, and is now quietly enjoying his well-
earned riches. None know him but to love and
respect him.

A man named White built a small frame house on
the ground now occupied by the gothic house a little
south of the Pike block. There were no other
buildings on the south side of the canal in 18-24.

Salina street, from the canal to Fayette street, was
then from three to four feet lower than at the present
day, and during the spring and fall was nearly
impassable from the great depth of mud. There were
no sidewalks, and pedestrians were compelled to pick
their way along the street as best they could. Teams
frequently would get set in the mud, and require
great exertions to extricate them. This portion of
the street has since been filled up, and the southern
portion been cut down to its present level.

GAME OF ALL KINDS ABUNDANT 181

The land west of Salina street was then covered
with scattered pine trees, oak underbrush, fallen
logs and old stumps, down to the creek and pond,
which have all long since bowed their heads to the
dust and given place to the stately stores and resi-
dences of our merchants and business men.

Game of all kinds then abounded in great profu-
sion in the valley, and the crack of the sportsman's
rifle was heard where now are our most populous
streets. What was in 1820 designated as a place
which would cause "an owl to weep" when flying
over its broad territory, has now become a large,
prosperous, growing city, whose name is known
throughout the length and breadth of the land. A
Syracusan can now be found in every corner of the
earth, and the exclamation: "I hail from Syracuse,"
is almost as common as "There goes a Yankee."
" Syracuse salt " and " Syracuse isms " are spoken of
in every place in the Union.

The family of John Savage was the first Irish
family that located in Syracuse. Mr. Savage was the
father of Richard Savage of this city. He was a
jovial, whole-souled man, and a general favorite in
the village.

The only colored family residing in Syracuse in
1824, was the family of Isaac Wales. "Uncle Ike"
came to Manlius from Maryland, as a slave of the
Fleming family, about the year 1810. He worked on

182 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

the canal while it was being dug, and soon accumu-
lated enough money to jDurchase his freedom. Eighty
dollars was the stipend and price which he paid for
himself. He married soon after obtaining his
liberty, and settled in this place, which has ever since
been his home.

Andrew Fesenmeyer was the first German that
located in Syracuse.

Captain Jonathan Thayer came here in 1824. He
was a very useful and humane man, and in nursing
the sick of the village he was always ready and willing
to grant his services. In 1832, when the cholera
prevailed here to such an alarming extent, he over-
taxed his constitution in taking care of Elder Gilbert,
Pastor of the First Baptist church, and others. The
last person he laid out was Dr. Day. He performed
this melancholy duty at 12 o'clock noon, and before
midnight he had gone to his tinal resting place,
mourned by all who knew him.

On the 1st of March, 1800, an act passed the
Legislature, creating the town of Salina. On the
20th of March, 1809, the first town meeting under
this act was held at the house of Cornelius Schouten
in Salina village. Syracuse then formed part of the
town of Salina, and was not incorporated as a village
until the winter of 182-4-25. Up to that time Syracuse
flourished under town laws, together with such rules
and regulations as were from time to time adopted by

I

ORGANIZING THE VILLAGE OF SYRACUSE 183

mutual consent, and acknowledged as the establisked
regulations of the embryo city.

At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of
the village of Syracuse, held pursuant to notice, at
the school house in said village, on Tuesday, the 3rd
day of May, 1825, the following officers were chosen
and proceedings had : Trustees, Joshua Forman, Amos
P. Granger, Moses D, Burnet, Heman Walbridge and
John Rodgers; Clerk, John Wilkinson; Treasurer,
John Durnford; Pound Master, Henry Young; Con-
stables, Jesse D. Rose and Henry W. Durnford;
Overseers of Highways, First District, Henry Young;
Second District, John Garrison. This statement of
the meeting is certified to by Danie! Gilbert, Justice
of the Peace, Syracuse, May 3, 1825.

I stated in a former chapter of the "Reminiscences
of Syracuse" that Frederick Horner was the only man
now living in this city who had ever seen General
Washington. In casting my eye over the city at that
time, I did not thijik of the venerable Major S. S.
Forman, although I had frequently conversed with
him about Washington, his dress and personal appear-
ance, and also about the evacuation of New York by
the British army. Major Forman did not tell me his
age, but he is a venerable man. His brothers were
officers in the American army during the Revolution.
They were stationed in New Jersey and were engaged
in the battle of Monmouth and several other severe

184 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

engagements fouglit in that State. Major Forman is
a man of wealth, and has filled several public offices
in this State with honesty and ability, and has always
borne an unblemished character throughout a long
and useful life. He is one of the last of that indom-
itable race of men who lived during the Revolution,
and no history has yet recorded the names of their
equals,

I have been kindly furnished by Mrs. John O'Blen-
nis of Salina, with the following facts in regard to the
early settlement of that portion of our city. Mrs.
O'Blennis is now over seventy years of age, and her
memory in regard to the early settlement of Salina is
as perfect as though the occurrences which she relates
had taken place within a year. She is the daughter
of Isaac Van Vleck, one of the first settlers in Salina.

Mr, Van Vleck moved to Salina from New Galway,
in Saratoga county, with a family of four children.
He arrived in Salina on the 2nd day of March, 1792.
Mr. Van Vleck's family was the sixth family that set-
tled in Salina. A Mr. Whitcomb came to Salina with
Mr. Van Vleck. They found at Salina a Mr. Hopkins,
engaged in the manufacture of salt in what were then
called " salt works."

These salt works consisted of an eight or ten-pail
kettle hung to different poles, each end of the pole
being placed in the crotch of a post set in the ground,
and a fire built under the kettles between a few stones

SETTLEMENT AT SALINA 185

wMcli were laid up on each side to condense the heat,
and no improvement has been made on that mode
since that time. The salt manufactured at that time
was of a greyish color. This color was produced by
boiling the bitterns in and mixing them with the pure
salt. The art of separating the impurities of the salt
was discovered by a Mr. Dexter, a blacksmith, two or
three years after that date.

John Danforth, a brother of General Asa Danf orth,
lived in Salina in 1793, and was engaged in the man-
ufacture of salt. He was one of the few fortunate
enough to own a kettle large enough to make salt in.
He sold the salt for fifty cents per bushel at the works.

Pharis Gould, father of Pharis Gould of this
county, lived in Salina in 1792. He was also a salt
manufacturer.

A surveyor by the name of Josiah Olcott was a
resident of Salina at that time. He was engaged in
laying of and surveying the roads in and about the
country, and in laying out the streets of the village
then in embryo. When not engaged in surveying he
was employed as an adviser and middle-man about
the salt works.

There was also a man by the name of Sturge, with
his family, then living at Salina. Mr. Loomis was
also a resident there at that time. James Peat and
several others came that year.

These early settlers were all attracted there by,

186 Cheney's reminiscences

and had something to do with, the manufacture of
salt. They lived very highly on game and fish, of
which there was a very great supply.

The Onondaga lake and creek were filled with as
fine salmon and other varieties of fish as were ever
eaten by any people. The inhabitants were suj^plied
with fish and game by the Indians in great abundance.

There were no clearings in or around the village
except here and there a place where nature had refused
to do its work of rearing lofty trees, and had left a
small prairie-like spot of green. These places the
emigrants took to cultivate and settle upon. There
was such an oj^en space near the salt spring, a little
south of the pump house. There were also several
such open spots on each side of Onondaga creek that
were occupied by the Onondaga Indians ; they having
built small brush and bark huts, which thej^ used
while fishing and hunting, but not as permanent resi-
dences. Their permanent place of abode was where
the present Indian castle and village now stand.

There were a great many Indians belonging to this
tribe living at that time. They were continually rov-
ing in all directions, seeking game and watching their
enemies.

At that time there was not a very good feeling ex-
isting between our people and the inhabitants of
Canada and the frontier.

The Indians had a perfect knowledge of all that

LAST COUNCIL OF THE INDIANS 187

transpired on the frontier. Tliis knowledge they com-
municated from tribe to tribe by means of runners.
They had a perfect and systematic arrangement of
this human telegraph, by means of which they com-
municated with each other from Albany to Buffalo
with the greatest precision and despatch.

The head chief, Kiactdote, was one of the most
cautious and observing men that ever ruled this tribe.
He had perfect command of them, and exerted a great
influence over them. To illustrate his power, I must
relate an incident which took place in 1793.

At Green Point, on one of the small prairies, a
Mr. Lamb had settled with his family. He had a
daughter fourteen years old, who was left in his rude
house alone while he attended to his agricultural pur-
suits. Mr. Lamb heard a noise in the house, and
going there he saw a young Indian kissing his daugh-
ter and taking other improper liberties with her. He
was so enraged that he picked uj) a junk bottle be-
longing to the Indian and struck the savage on the
head, killing Mm on the spot. He then fled to the
settlement at Salina for safety.

The Indians in the Aacinity declared they must
have the life of Mr. Lamb, according to their custom
of "life for life." The people called the chiefs together
and with Webster as interpreter, related the circum-
stances as they transpired. Upon receiving this in-
formation, a council of the tribe was called at Salina.

188 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

(It was tlie last couucil ever held there.) When the
council had assembled, Kiactdote stepped into the ring
formed by the Indians, threw off his blanket, gave
three whoops, making a motion with both hands at
the same time. The meaning of this performance
was : ' ' Pay attention to what I say. " He then related
the whole circumstances to the nation, and said that
it was the first time an Indian had ever been known to
insult a white squaw. Although they had many, many
prisoners of white blood, no Indian had ever been
found so low as to degrade himself and tr-ibe by insult-
ing a white squaw until this occurrence. He declared
that killing was justifiable, and that Mr. Lamb must
not be punished. His decision was acquiesced in and
adopted by the tribe, with the proviso that Mr. Lamb
should pay to the relatives of the Indian killed a three
year old heifer, which was to cement peace and good
will between the posterity of both parties forever. The
Indian was buried on the spot where he was killed.

At that time the whites used to require the children
to drive their cows one mile from the settlement and
watch over them during the day, for fear of being
surprised by the enemy from Canada.

In 1793, the ill will between the inhabitants of Xew
York and Canada had risen to such a point that it was
deemed necessary for the security and protection of
the inhabitants in and around Salina, to erect a Block
House. The State caused an immediate survey to be

THE BLOCK HOUSE 189

made, and the location for tlie Block Honse deter-
mined upon. A spot of ground directly in front of
the Salina Pump House, near where the canal now
runs, was selected as the proposed site. The building
was finished before 1795. It was twenty feet in height,
with port holes arranged in each story to lire from, in
case of necessity. The Block House was used as a
defence against the occasional incursions of guerrilla
parties from Canada, which the inhabitants feared
more than the Indians.

Among the persons present when the Block House
site was selected were Baron Steuben, Moses DeWitt
of Pompey, Isaac Van Vleck, William Gilchrist, Gen-
eral Asa Danforth, Mr. Olcott of Pompey, and Aaron
Bellows.

Baron Steuben and Moses DeWitt took supper and
lodged at Mrs. O'Blennis' father's house. The Baron
was a large, corpulent man, pleasing in his address
and manners.

The Pev. Mr. Sickles, an itinerant minister, used
to stop at Mr. Van Vleck's on his way through the
country to and from the frontier.

Mr. Van Vleck's house was a common stopping place
for most all travelers through the country. He did
not keep a tavern, but he afforded rest to the weary
and food to the hungry.

At that time tlie inhabitants of Salina did not have
any wells. The water they used for drinking and

190 CHENEY'S REMIXISCENXES

cooking was brought from a fresh water spring under
the hill near what was then the marsh.

The lake at that time was five or six feet higher
than at the present day, and covered the flats at cer-
tain seasons of the year.

In 1792, Mr. Gould built what was called a mud
house. It was similar to a stick chimney, narrow
strips of boards being laid flat-ways about half an
inch apart, and the open spaces filled with mud. The
roof was made with split logs running lengthwise from
the peak to the eaves.

The first frame house was built by General Dan-
forth and Mr. Van Vleck in 1793. The lumber, or
most of it, was brought from Little Falls and Tioga
Point in batteaux. The nails came from Albany.

That year Thomas Orman, Simon Phares and Wil-
liam Gilchrist came to Salina. Mr. Orman brought
the first cauldron kettle for the manufacture of salt.
Aaron Bellows came that year and established a cooper
shop for the manufacture of salt barrels. Mr. Van
Vleck went to Albany that year and brought a large
copper mill and placed it in Mr. Bellows' cooper shop,
which all the families used to grind their corn with.
This was an improvement upon the scalloped stump
and sweep.

There were no grist or saw mills in this section of
the country at that time. There was a small saw mill
at Jamesville, but it was not accessible from Salina

THE FEDERAL COMPANY 191

as there were no roads for the passage of teams. Ben-
jamin Carpenter kept the first store at Salina. He
kept a large variety store and traded in furs, salt, etc.,
with the Indians and settlers. He commenced busi-
ness in 1795.

In 1794, Patrick Riley, Mr. Thompson and several
others came to Salina to live. The village at that
time had increased to thirty-three persons, and of this
number thirty were sick; only three being able to
attend to their sick neighbors, which they did with
the assistance of the Indians.

In 1794, Elisha Alvord, then a young man, in com-
pany with several others came to Salma to reside.
Mr. Alvord was elected the Supervisor of the town of
Salina at its first town election. He was the father
of Thomas and Cornelius Alvord, now residents of
Salina.

In 1794, Judge Richard Sanger, Mr. Andrews of
New Hartford, Thomas Hart of Clinton, Oneida
county, Mr. Butler of Pompey, Mr. Keeler of Onon-
daga, Asa Danforth of Onondaga Hollow and Elisha
Alvord of Salina, formed a company called the " Fed-
eral Company," for the purpose of manufacturing
salt. They put up some of the first six kettle blocks.
The company failed in 1801 by inexperience in the
business. They had wood merely by cutting it, and
sold salt readily at high prices.

Dioclesian Alvord came here in 1796, and hired

192 CHENEY'S REMIXISCEXCES

part of the "Federal Works " witli four kettles. He
added two more, and with his six kettles he could
manufacture eighteen to twenty bushels of salt per
day, which he readily sold for fifty cents per bushel.
The pumi3 house was then out in the water, and Mr.
Alvord had to take a skiff to reach it. The water was
pumped by hand and conveyed in troughs to the res-
ervoir made of hollow logs.

The first law suit tried in Salina was the suit of
Dr. Barber against John Lamb. The suit was in re-
gard to alleged overcharges on the part of the Doctor,
and was tried before 'Squire Kinne of Manlius, who
came there to accommodate the parties. Dr. Barber
was one of the first physicians in the village of Salina,
and son-in-law of John Danforth of that place.

In 1792, there were about six log and two mud
houses in Salina. Three of these houses stood on
Salina street, and two or three stood on the spot where
Widow Miller now lives. These were built together,
or adjoining each other, with sej)arate entrances.

Village lots were not in market in 1792, and when
a person wanted to build he took such a location as
suited him, and put up his house. When the lots
came into market the person building got a x^i'e-emp-
tion title for forty dollars.

In 1795, Judge Stevens, the first Salt Superintend-
ent, William Gilchrist and Isaac Van Vleck of Salina,
conceived the idea of levying duties on salt. It was

THE FIRST DUTY ON SALT 193

thought that the " duties" were not so much for the
profit of the State as for the advancement of the per-
sonal interests of different parties in Salina. The
idea originated by these men has been a source of
very great profit to the State, the State having re-
ceived, prior to 1843, in duties ui)on salt, over
$3,000,000. The first duties on salt were four j)ence
per bushel. Upon the opening of the canal, the duty
was raised to one shilling per bushel. The duty is
now one cent.

In 1801, Judge Stevens had collected a considerable
amount of moneys for duties, and was on the point of
proceeding to Albany to make a deposit, when he was
prevented by sickness and died.

In 17'.»5, the State purchased of the Onondagas the
salt lake now called Onondaga lake, with a strip of
land one mile in width extending entirely round it,
with the exclusive right to all the salt springs for $500,
and the annual payment of one hundred bushels of
salt. The State has from time to time sold to differ-
ent individuals all of the land thus purchased, with
the exception of 549 acres, for which, prior to 1843,
they had received in the aggregate $58,428.25.

The early inhabitants of Salina were a tough,
hardy race of men, and withal they were intelligent,
energetic and enterprising. They were governed solely
by the common law until 1809, when the first town
election was held in the town of Salina.

194 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

The village increased gradually, and the salt ket-
tles kept pace with the increase of the inhabitants,
until now "Salt Point" and "Salt Pointers" and
"salt kettles " are known all over the habitable globe.

In 1824, the village of Salina was about one- third
as large as at the present day, and its inhabitants
were known as a most intelligent, enterprising set of
men. It grew rapidly during that year.

The first tax levied upon the inhabitants after the
incorporation of the village of Syracuse, was in the
fall of 1825. It amounted to 8250, a striking contrast
to the sum now levied uj^on the city of Syracuse for '
municipal purposes. Henry W. Durnford was the
collector, and John Durnford was his bondsman.

In the year 1802, Judge Oliver R. Strong came
from Berkshire, Mass., to the county of Onondaga,
and located at Onondaga Hill. He was among the
first of the settlers who acted in an official capacity,
having been appointed a Deputy Sheriff in 1803, by
Elijah Rust. This office he held for several years.
In 1808, he was appointed County Treasurer by the
Board of Supervisors, and served in that capacity for
the extraordinary term of twenty-two years. He has
been one of the Judges of the county, and President of
the Onondaga County Bank for a long period. In all
the relations of life, he has borne a reputation for
integrity second to no man in the community.

In 1803, Judge Strong, in connection with Cornelius

ONONDAGA HILL 195

Longstreet, acted as clerk of the election. At that
time the elections continued for three days, and the
polls were held half a day in a place. The town of
Onondaga at that time embraced a large extent of
territory, and it was no light duty to act in the
capacity of an inspector or clerk of the elections. The
responsibility, too, was much greater than at the
present time, as the ballot boxes had to be strictly
guarded' over nights.

In 1802, the village of Onondaga Hill consisted of
four framed buildings — two of them erected that
year — seven or eight log dwellings or huts and two
log taverns. One of these taverns was kept by
Daniel Earll, the grandfather of Jonas Earll, former
Canal Commissioner. His house stood on the site of
the office subsequently occupied by Nehemiah H.
Earll, and which still remains on the original lot.
The other public house stood about where the store of
Mr. Eastman now stands, and was kept by William
Lard. Mr. Lard was a man of energy and enterprise,
and many of his descendants still reside in the county.
One of the log huts was used as a blacksmith's shop.
A store was kept by Walter 'Morgan, but did not
have much business.

Medad Curtis was the only lawyer in the place.
He was a man of ability, and was intelligent and
trustworthy; and he enjoyed the unbounded confi-
dence of his neighbors. His practice was lucrative.

l!»(j Cheney's reminiscences

Two pliysiciaus, Dr. Thayer and Dr. Colton, were
in practice in 1802. They did a large and profitable
business, as the inhabitants, like those of all newly-
settled countries, were subject to diseases of a bilious
character. Few persons were proof against these in-
sidious diseases.

At the time referred to, this county was settling
with great rapidity. Many of the settlers were Rev-
olutionary soldiers, who received their land for ser-
vices rendered their country in the stirring and event-
ful contest with Great Britain, and came here to enjoy
the blessings of peace and independence which had
been acquired by their courage and patriotism.

In 179-t, Onondaga county was set off from Her-
kimer by act of the Legislature. It included the whole
of Oswego and parts of Cayuga and Cortland counties.
The territory was divided into eight townships. Soon
afterwards a company of gentlemen, consisting of
Judge Stevens, Elisha Lewis, Comfort Tyler, John
Ellis, Parley Howlett, sr., Asa Danfortli, Thaddeus
M. Wood, Elijah Rust, William Lard, Medad Curtis,
and George Hall, conceived the idea of making a large
village at or near the "centre of the county. After a
full view of the merits of the different localities, they
selected Onondaga Hill, by reason of its high and
airy location. The valleys were avoided, because they
were regarded as very unhealthy. This company
purchased parts of farm lots 104 and 119, and em-

I

ONONDAGA VALLEY 197

ployed Judge Geddes to lay them out into village
lots, with a suitable site in the centre for a court house
and jail. The plan was faithfully carried out, and
these buildings, erected soon afterwards, were placed
on the sj)ot thus indicated. The site was very
capacious, consisting of fifteen acres, with a gentle
declivity towards the north, bounded on every side by
public streets.

A few years only elapsed before it became appar-
ent that this attempt at a speculation must fail. The
" Hollow" improved faster than the " Hill," and tne
Erie canal eventually killed both. But it is not the
only instance illustrating the want of foresight in the
shrewdest men. Comfort Tyler, Thaddeus M. Wood,
General Danforth and their associates in this enter-
prise, were men far more sagacious than the
generality of our pioneer citizens; but they were not
aware of the fact that the marts of commerce, trade
and wealth, are always found in valleys and not on
mountain elevations.

The peo]3le of Onondaga Valley have been their
own worst enemies. They not only made no efforts to
secure the location of the court house, but actually
prevented the laying out of the Erie canal through
their village, by placing obstacles in the way of Judge
Forman, who was sincerely desirous of running that
great artery of trade and prosperity through the
place. Had tlie leading property holders exhibited

198 Cheney's reminiscences

the spirit of true liberality, the canal would have
been carried up to that point from Lodi, and down on
the west side of the valley. Thus does selfishness
generally defeat its own aims and j^urjjoses. Had the
canal taken this direction, Onondaga Valley would
have occupied the position now maintained by the
city of Syracuse.

The first court held in this county was in the corn
house of Comfort Tyler, nearly opposite the late
residence of General T. M. Wood (now the residence
of Morris Pratt), at Onondaga Valley. After this
they were held for some time in the parlor of Mr.
Tyler's public house, and subsequently in other
public places in diflferent parts of the town, to suit
the convenience of the litigants.

At that time there was no jail in the county, and
the authorities were compelled to take the prisoners
to the Herkimer county jail for confinement.

In the year 1804, the county of Oneida had com-
pleted a jail in the town of Whitesboro, to which the
criminals of this county were transferred, the Legis-
lature having previously passed an act granting this
county the right to use the nearest jail. The Whites-
boro jail was used until 1810; that year our jail was
finished.

In 1801, the Board of Supervisors, then composed
of the wisest men in their respective towns, began to
take measures to build a court house and jail for this

THE FIRST COURT HOUSE 199

J

county. Three commissioners, Elisha Lewis, Medad
Curtis and T. M. Wood, were selected to superintend
this erection, and by a vote, it was determined to
locate them on Onondaga Hill. The commissioners
did not seem to have much system about building.
The buildings were erected by piecemeal and by
different persons. The commissioners commenced by
contracting with William Bostwick of Auburn to
put up the frame and enclose the house. This was
done in 1802, and closed Mr. Bostwick's contract.
Previous to raising the house, the people of the Hill
collected together and made a "bee," for the purpose
of cutting away the trees to make room for the new
building. The square was at that time covered with
a heavy growth of timber. In order to have the use
of the court house, a temporary floor and seats were
put into it, and the courts held there till the com-
mencement of 180-4. The county then began to feel
able to finish the court house and jailor's dwelling.
The commissioners contracted with Abel House to do
the carpenter work inside, leaving out the cells ; and
with a Mr. Saxton from New Hartford to do the
mason work; and E. Webster to furnish the brick
for chimneys. The court room and dwelling were
completed during that season. After a year or two,
preparations were commenced for building the cells
of the jail. A contract was made with Boswell and
Sylvanus Tousley of Manilas to do the iron work for

200 CHENEY S REMINISCENCES

a stipulated price of two shillings per pound. I am
not informed who did the wood work, but the cells
were not finished till the year 1810.

This jail was a wood building, fifty feet square,
two stories high, with a square roof pitching four
ways to the eaves. It was not painted. This finish-
ing touch was done by a subscription some years
afterwards, by the people of Onondaga Hill. The
first story was appropriated for the jail and the
dwelling of the janitor, a hall separating them from
each other. The cells were constructed of heavy oak
plank, fastened together with wrought spike. The
doors were made of the like material, with a "dia-
mond" in the centre to pass through the food and
give light to the prisoners. In the rear of the cells
were grated windows. The court room was reached
by a stairway leading from this hall. The Judge's
bench was directly in front of the entrance to the
court room, and was constructed in a circular form.
The whole cost of the building was $10,000, a large
sum apparently for such a structure; but when it is
considered that the work was done mostly on credit,
there will be no occasion for surprise. Besides, the
system of keeping public accounts at that day was
very imperfect. Many of the bills contracted in the
erection of the building were not paid until several
years afterwards.

This court house and jail were used for the pur-

REMOVING COURT HOUSE TO SYRACUSE 201

poses designated until the year 1829. The first jailor
was James Beebe, a Revolutionary soldier, and father
of Mrs. Victory Birdseye of Pompey. His successor
was Mason Butts, father of Horace Butts, who was
jailor after the removal of the county buildings to
Syracuse. John H. Johnson also acted as jailor there
for several years.

Syracuse having in 1825-26 grown to be the
largest town in the county, the propriety of removing
the county buildings to that place began to be
agitated. The ]3eople on the Hill strongly resisted
the measure, and in the first mentioned year succeeded
in getting a bill through the Legislature, providing
for their retention at that place; but through the
influence of the Syracuse Company, Governor
Clinton was induced to veto it, and it was thus
defeated. But the project did not sleep. In 1827-28,
a law was enacted authorizing the Supervisors of the
county to erect a court house and jail within the
corporate limits of the village of Syracuse. In
obedience to the requirements of this act, the Super-
visors, in the summer of 1828, met in the village of
Syracuse, at the public house kept by James Mann
(now the Syracuse House) to take into consideration
the selection of a site for the proposed buildings, and
also to make the necessary preparation for erecting
the same. At that meeting there was a great deal of
discussion upon the question, and a wide difference of

202 Cheney's reminiscences

opinion existed among the members relative to the
site of the buildings. On taking a vote, it resulted in
placing it midway between Syracuse and Salina, in
consideration of the village of Salina presenting to
the county a full and unincumbered title to the
property, consisting of not less than three acres,
and $1,000.

As an inducement to locate it in the centre of the
village, Messrs. Townsend and James offered the
countj^, free of expense, all that block of land on which
the Onondaga County Bank and Bank of Syracuse are
now located, with the exception of one lot on which
the First Presbyterian church then stood, on the cor-
ner of Salina and Fayette streets. This offer was re-
fused ; but as the sequel proved, it would have been
much the best bargain, for this property is now worth
at least ten times as much as the court-house lot was
recently sold for, besides being a much more conven-
ient site for the county buildings. But the site hav-
ing been fixed it could not be changed.

At this meeting, measures were also taken for the
erection of the county buildings by the appointment
of three men, styled building commissioners, consist-
ing of John Smith, Thomas Starr and Samuel For-
man, with j^ower to cause plans and specifications to
be made, and to contract for the erection of the build-
ings. The County Treasurer was also empowered to
borrow $20,000 in two annual installments of $10,000

THE SECOND COURT HOUSE 203

each. After the plans were submitted, the commis-
sioners decided to build the jail of stone, fifty feet
square and two stories high, with a hall and stairs in
the centre. The south half was designed for the jail-
or's dwelling, and the north half for strong stone cells,
and the second story, over the cells, was appropriated
for cells for debtors, witnesses, etc. The court house
was to be built of brick, sixty feet square, with large
columns on the west side, and two stories high. The
first story was divided by a hall into four apartments
in each corner, for the use of the grand and petit jurors
and other purposes. The court room occupied all of
the second story except the landing of the stairs and
two petit jury rooms in each corner. The Judge's*
seat was in the south side, opposite the landing of the
stairway. These were the county buildings the com-
missioners decided upon, and invited bids for tlieir
erection. In the spring of 1820, the bids were received
according to the specifications and plans. John Wall
obtained the contract for the building of the jail,
which was erected by him early in the year 1829. The
cells in this jail were of the strongest kind. Since it
was taken down, they have been j^laced in the base-
ment of the new court house on Clinton square.

L. A. Cheney and Samuel Booth obtained the con-
tract for doing the mason work of the court house,
and David Stafford obtained the contract for doing the
carpenter work. It was put up that year and enclosed.

204 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

In the following year, Mr. Wall made a bargain witli
the commissioners to complete the edifice, and during
that year it was finished ready for the occupation of
the courts.

The estimate for these buildings proved to be some
thirty per centum short of their expense, the total cost
of them having been upwards of $37,000.

The jail was abandoned in 1850, after the erection
of the penitentiary and the removal of the jail pris-
oners to that institution. The materials were used in
the erection of the work-shops at the penitentiary and
the new court house.

Attempts were made from time to time to change
the site of this court house, but they all failed until
after the destruction of the building by fire, on the
morning of the 5th of January, 185G. At a meeting
of the Board of Supervisors, April 28, 1856, it was
decided by a vote of twenty- four to one, "that the
site of the court house for Onondaga county be, and
is hereby, changed to the lot in Block 81, on the cor-
ner of Clinton square and Clinton alley."

The plan of the building, as presented in the report
of the committee, consisting of T. C. Cheney, Elizur
Clark and Bradley Cary, was then adopted; and
Messrs. Slocum, Johnson and District Attorney An-
drews were directed to execute the papers for an ex-
change of sites with Colonel Voorhees. The next day
Timothy C. Cheney, Luke Wells and D. C. Greenfield

THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE 205

were appointed a committee to suj)erintend. tlie erec-
tion of the building, and Horatio N. White, architect.
At a subsequent meeting of the Board in June, the
proposals for the erection of the building, advertised
for by the commissioners, were opened and the con-
tract awarded to Messrs. Cheney & Wilcox, at $37,750,
the contractors to have the materials of the old court
house and jail. Mr. Cheney thereupon resigned his
place as commissioner, and Elizur Clark was appointed
to fill the vacancy. Portions of the work were after-
wards sub-let — the cut stone work to Spalding &
Pollock, the carpenter and joiner work to Coburn &
Hurst, and the iron work to Featherly, Drajjer & Cole.
The building is now in process of construction, and
will be completed on the first day of October, next.

In the year 1821, Judge Forman, who then resided
in Syracuse, conceived the idea of manufacturing salt
by solar evaporation. Mr. Forman, with Isaiah Town-
send of Albany, went to New Bedford for the purpose
of examining works that had been previously erected
there. He met in that noted sea-faring town Stephen
Smith, with whom he counseled upon the subject.
Upon Mr. Forman's statements in regard to the
strength of the water, its jjurity and abundance, Mr.
Smith consented to embark in the enterprise of erect-
ing similar works here. This gentleman, together
with William Rotch, jr., Samuel Rodman and James
Arnold of New Bedford, formed the " Onondaga Salt

206 CHENEY'S REMINISCENCES

Company." Of this company, Mr. Smith was the con-
trolling agent, and Henry Gifford superintended the
construction.

Subsequently to the formation of this company.
Judge Forman proceeded to Albany and procured the
passage of a law by the Legislature, authorizing the
company to take possession of the grounds and erect
the necessary works. He also endeavored to induce
William James and Isaiah and John Townsend to
form another company and embark in the manufac-
ture of coarse salt; but they declined. He then ap-
plied to Henry Eckf ord, the celebrated naval architect
of New York, who consented, and with other gentle-
men, established "The Syracuse Salt Company."
Judge Forman was appointed the agent of this com-
pany and Matthew L. Davis, secretary.

Mr. Eckf ord was then owner of the "Walton Tract."
Before the works of this company had far advanced
William James and Isaiah and John Townsend of
Albany and James McBride of New York became the
proprietors.

At that period, the Salt Springs were termed the
" Old Federal Springs." The water was pumped by
hand labor by men perched on high stagings, and col-
lected into rude reservoirs for distribution.

The companies thus formed immediately set about
the execution of their plans. The first thing done
was to cut away the trees, clear the grounds (the

ORGANIZING SALT COMPANIES 207

position between the " Genesee tnrnpike " and the Erie
canal was an almost impassable swamp), preparatory
to the erection of the vats. It was essential that a
greater supply of water should be procured. Accord-
ingly the two companies, at their joint expense, erected
the first great reservoir, pumps and aqueducts at
Salina; the machinery propelled, as it now is, by sur-
plus water from a branch of the Erie canal. The
starting point for the vats was just north of Church
street.

After these works were fairly under way, the
Onondaga Salt Company broke ground west of the
creek, near the dwelling subsequently occupied for
many years by Joseph Savage. Here the first growth
of trees was still standing, and yielded nearly a hun-
dred cords of wood to the acre. The building of vats
was prosecuted with great diligence and energy ; about
two million feet of lumber being consumed annually
for several years.

In 1826, Mr. Gifford covered twenty acres of ground
on private account ; but he was unable to procure
water for three years. This investment was continued
by Mr. Gifi^ord until the land was sold by the State,
a year or two since.

Such, in brief, was the origin of the coarse salt
manufacture. There are now in existence upwards
of 23,000 vats, or " covers," occupying about 380 acres,
in which is invested a capital of $1,161,000.

208 Cheney's re.vixiscences

It may not be out of place here to make a brief
allusion to Stephen Smith. Mr. Smith in early life
was particularly noted for his persevering industry
in the pursuit of knowledge. He was a son of Abra-
ham Smith of New Bedford, with whom he learned
•the trade of a blacksmith, but did not follow the oc-
cupation. At the age of twenty-one, he went to Xew
York, found employment in a celebrated commercial
firm there and became a partner in a ship-chandlery
establishment, which, during his absence in Europe,
became unsuccessful. In 1801, he went to England
and France on an agency. He made several voyages
as supercargo to India and China. Subsequently he
went on different occasions to Italy, Spain and
Portugal.

The war of 1812 and ill health detained him at
home, and he then embarked in the manufacture of
salt from sea water at Yarmouth on Cape Cod. It *
was while prosecuting this enterprise that Judge For-
man met him and induced him to come to Syracuse,
as before stated. Mr. Smith continued to reside here
until his death, which occurred in 1854. He was a man
of strong mind, a close observer of passing events, lib-
eral views and unbending integrity. No man stood
higher in the community than Stephen Smith. The
monument at his grave marks the last resting place
of " God's noblest work, an honest man."

The first furnace erected west of Oneida county

THE MICKLES' FURNACE 209

was built by Nicholas Mickles, father of Philo D.
Mickles, who emigrated from New England to lay the
foundation of a fortune in this then frontier county.
It is usually called the " Old Furnace," and has long
been a landmark on the road to Onondaga Hill. Judge
Forman was associated in this enterprise with Mr.
Mickles, and they did a heavy business for manj*
years in the manufacture of kettles for the western
country and for the salt works. During the war of
1812, they had a heavy contract with the government
for supplies of cannon balls and shells. These mis-
siles of death were transported by wagons to Salina,
whence they were taken by water to Oswego and there
distributed to various points along the frontier. Mr.
Mickles was a man of intelligence and probity and
highly esteemed.

In every community there are men with character-
istics so marked as to attract particular notice and
comment. Syracuse has not been wanting in this
respect. I propose to terminate these random
" Reminiscences " by adverting to one of them, who
was well known to many persons now residing in this
vicinity. I allude to James Sackett.

Mr. Sackett originally emigrated from New
England and settled in Skaneateles ; but he removed
to Syracuse in 1826, long before which he acquired
the sobriquet of "Old Sackett," by which he was
ever afterwards known. He was very eccentric in

210 chexey's reminiscences

his "habits and conversation. He acquired a large
property by the purchase of land warrants of Revo-
lutionarj^ soldiers, and locating the lots in this
section of the State. He was very fond of horses, of
which he raised the finest breed in this county. He
had a habit of rounding* off his sentences with the
very expressive but rather impolite phrase, "G — d

d n you I" Always a bachelor, he never made

more than one attempt to obtain a wife. The lady
he selected, and who resided in an adjoining county,
was first made acquainted with his intentions by
hearing an individual hallooing at her father's gate.
She went out to ascertain what was wanted. Mr.
Sackett sat in his buggy. On her inquiring his
errand, his response was: " I have made up my mind
to marry you ; will you have me, G — d d n you ? "

She replied: " Mr. Sackett, this is a short notice; I
will take ten days to consider,"

"Ten days, ha I to consider on marrying Mr.

James Sackett; ten days, G — d d n you! ten days,

ha ! " and Mr. Sackett drove away, never calling
again.

In 1824, he contracted with a man to build him a
house about 22 feet by 40. It was to be set on his
block on Salina street, opposite the Empire. That
block was owned b}^ him, and nothing was on it except
at the south end, where were two or three little
buildings. It was a pretty field for a residence. The

JAMES SACKETT 211

contractor did not come and put up the house as he
agreed. He then contracted with another builder to
put up the same kind of a house. It was immediately
done. While the second contractor was finishing the
first house, the first contractor came with the second
house. Although Mr. Sackett was under no obliga-
tion to receive the house, he said to tlie builder:
" Here, put it up at the end of this one." Of course,
he had a house 22 by 80 feet. He had a rough board
fence put around the lot, which was entered by a
gate swinging on a post in the centre. After his
house was finished and he had resided in it a few
years, the crickets had taken joint occupancy with
him. They were rather noisy, and disturbed the old
man. Mr. Sackett was a timid man ; so he undertook
to expel them. He succeeded very well, with the
exception of one old chap that bid him defiance.
This fellow was located behind the chimney, where
he kept up a perpetual song. But he was not out of
the reach of harm. One Monday morning, masons
were seen at work taking down the chimney, which
was razed to the ground, and this noisy old chap
driven from his quarters, and the chimney rebuilt so
as to exclude him thereafter,

Mr. Sackett had also singular tastes in the matter
of dress. He wore a frock coat reaching down to his
heels, a wide brimmed hat, with a large veil over his
face. Such an outfit on a tall, slim, fleshless man

212 Cheney's reminiscences

like Mr. Sackett made him an object of notice to
every person. He always hired masons to fill his ice
house, so that the work should be well done. In
doing odd jobs, he would hire more men than were
necessary, and would often discharge them all before
the work on hand was completed. He usually
traveled about the country in an old, rickety buggy,
with a patched top of various colors, drawn by a
splendid horse. Wherever he went on foot, he
carried an old umbrella, with a large white patch on
the toj). But with all his oddities, he was a well
disposed man, and correct and prompt in business
matters. He died worth an estate valued at $150,000.

THE NEw"y^^

PUBLIC '--ARY

ASTO:; Nox A-0

r

-CMSJbJ

FlU6i" PKEblJVlEKlAX TH L^liCH.— Fiuiii a reieiit i.liui«>^ra|>li.

CHAPTER XIII

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The original site of the First Presbyterian churcli
was on the northeastern corner of Salina and Fayette
streets, where the retail dry goods store of D. Mc-
Carthy & Company now stands. The church edifice
was a plain, wooden structure, clapboarded and
painted white, with green outside blinds, two story,
and surmounted with a spire of moderate heigtt, as
were all steeples of an early day. The inside
was finished with pine, painted white throughout,
the division of the pews being capped with cherry.
The gallery front was of an elliptical form. The
pulpit was situated in the west end of the building,
and the choir was for a time placed in the gallery
just above, but subsequently removed to the east
end. This edifice was the only one in the block upon
which it was situated, enclosed by Washington,
Fayette, Warren and Salina streets, and so continued
for many years. A portion of tlie remainder of the
square was occasionally used for the jourpose of the

(213)

214 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

peripatetic shows of that day. This spot was called
a common or goose pasture.

This church building, though at first located
somewhat out of the village, afterwards, with the
growth of the village, became centrally located ; and
it was often used for imj)ortant public meetings, as
there were no public halls in which the people could
be accommodated. Suspended in the belfry was the
bell, which in those days sounded the alarm of fire,
the call to church and the funeral knell. It was then
the custom to strike upon the bell the number of
years of the age of the deceased as soon as the spirit
had departed, as was generally observed in all
country villages. The Fourth of July gatherings
were for many years held in this building. It was
also customary to read from the pulpit notices of
important meetings and transactions, and, among
others, was read annually for many years from the
pulpit of this church, the necrological record for the
previous year. These death notices were usually
read on the first Sunday in January.

The certificate of the incorporation of this church
society, as recorded in the County Clerk's office, was
executed and recorded December 32, 1824, before
David S. Colvin, a Commissioner, etc. This docu-
ment says that at a meeting of the members of the
Presbyterian Society in the village of Syracuse, in
the town of Salina, December 14, 1824, held at the

ORGANIZING THE SOCIETY 215

school house, Moses D. Burnet and Miles Seymour
were chosen to preside; and that the society was
named "First Presbyterian Society in the village of
Syracuse." These seven Trustees were elected by
"pluralities of voices" : Joshua Forman, Moses D.
Burnet, Heman Walbridge, Miles Seymour, Rufus
Moss, Joseph Slocum and Jonathan Day.

Another record in the County Clerk's office shows
that at an election "holden" at the Presbyterian
meeting house, January 10, 1827, the society was
reincorporated, ' ' the incorporation being dissolved
by means of a neglect to exercise the powers necessary
for its preservation." The following were chosen
Trustees: Jonathan Day, Moses D. Burnet, Joseph
Slocum, George Hooker, Stephen W. Cadwell, Elbert
Norton and John Wall. The acknowledgment to
this certificate of reincorporation contains the follow-
ing clause: "I certify that on the 26th day of
January, 1827, came before me Frederick Phelps and
Edward Chapman, to me known to be the within
grantors, and acknowledged that they executed the
within. David S. Colvin, a Commissioner, etc."
It might be added that at the annual meeting of this
church society, held January 1st, 1894, a resolution
was passed, authorizing an application to the Court
to change the name to The First Presbyterian Society
of Syracuse.

According to the first church manual, published

216 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

by J. M. Patterson iu 1835, the church edifice was
built in the summer of 1825, and dedicatedin January
of 1826. The Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, D. D., of
Auburn Theological Seminary, who had formerly
been the first pastor of the "United Church of Onon-
daga Hollow and Salina," from 1810 to 1814, preached
the dedication sermon. The church was organized
April 6, 1826, by a committee from the Onondaga
Presbytery, consisting of the following gentlemen:
Ministers, Hezekiah N. Woodruff, Hutchins Taylor,
Ralph Cushman, Washington Thatcher; Elders, Dr.
Joseph W. Brewster, William Eager, Harry Mose-
ley. Frederick Phelps and Edward Chapman were
elected Elders, and Pliny Dickinson, Deacon, at that
time. The society consisted, at its formation, of the
following twenty-six members: Frederick Phelps,
Edward Chapman, Pliny Dickinson, Rufus Moss,
J. W. Hanchett, Jonathan Day, Archibald L. Fel-
lows, Agrippa Martin, Benoni Stilson, Samuel Mead,
Anna Phelps, Florilla Chapman, Melinda Kasson,
Harriet Newton, Margaret Hanchett, Theodosia
Wall, Deborah Webb, Olive Pease, Catharine Mar-
ble, Nancy Toogood, Eliza Parsons, Eve Van Buren,
Elizabeth Cummings, Julia Northam, Mary A.
Huntington, Sarah Norton.

When the church edifice was dedicated, in Janu-
ary, 182G, Dr. Lansing brought with him the Rev.
John Watson Adams, at that time engaged in theo-

ASTOR. LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

DR. JOHN WATSON ADAMS 217

logical studies at Auburn Seminary. Mr. Adams
was then thirty years of age. The society invited
the young clergyman to preach a few sermons, with
a view to settlement, at a salary of $600 per year.
Mr. Adams accepted the invitation, and the result
was that he was ordained and installed pastor of the
church June 28, 1820. He was the first pastor of
this church, and he sustained this relation uninter-
ruptedly till his decease, April 4, 1850, in the fifty-
fourth year of his age.

Dr. Adams, for he had been honored with the
degree of D. D., is remembered with the kindest
feelings by his congregation and associates, as he was
a man of scholarly attainments, warm friendships,
in spite of the occasional coldness of his exterior, and
a preacher whose views of divine truth were lucid,
comprehensive and sound. The character of this
remarkable man, combined with acumen and strength
of intellect and the higher qualities of moral virtue, a
peculiar native diffidence and self-distrust. In his
labors among the people of this city, where the whole
life of his manhood was spent, he was successful and
highly useful, fully meeting, in this regard, the
anticipations and predictions of his earliest friends.

Dr. Adams commenced a history of Onondaga
County, and he was for several years engaged upon
the work, with a view of ultimate publication;
but his parochial duties and other uncontrollable

218 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

circumstauces interposed, and the idea was abandoned.
His material, however, was used and acknowledged
by Joshua A^. H. Clark in writing "Clark's Onon-
daga."

In the early days, when the Calvinistic teachings
prevailed more extensively than in these progressive
days, the people were bound by strict religious
obseivances. At a meeting of the First Presbyterian
Church and Society, held March 31, 1835, certain
rules ajid regulations were unanimously adopted and
ordered to be printed as an appendix to the articles
of faith of the church. The first rule was: "We
regard the Sabbath as holy time, and all profanations
of it, by walking or riding out for pleasure, journey-
ing, or engaging in other secular employments, un-
less when compelled so to do by the paramount claims
of mercy, as a violation of our covenant engagements.
Therefore, resolved unanimously, that the Session of
this church be requested to make such violations a
subject of discii^line."

There were some exceptions to this prevailing cus-
tom, as is shown in the following entry from the Sun-
day school minute book, under date of March 16, 1834 :
" Last night was the great conflagration of our vil-
lage. Blocks 93 and 94, and the one on the opposite
side of the canal, being the great centre of business,
were entirely consumed. All are engaged in saving
their property, and there is no church or Sabbath
school."

BUILDING THE PRESENT CHURCH 219

A form of covenant was adopted, March 31, 1835.
After the great powder explosion, a relief meeting was
held in the church, August 23, 1841, at which $2,800
was raised at once for the benefit of the victims. On
January 5, 1846, steps were taken for the erection of
a new church edifice; and on June 28, 184(3, the build-
ing was commenced on the oi3i3osite side of Fayette
street, on the site now occupied by the present church
edifice. The original church site was a gift from tlie
Syracuse Company. Many thought at the time that
it was too far away from the village, and much com-
plaint was made of the mud encountered in going to
the services. At that time, thirty-three feet on the
north side of the canal, where most of the people had
settled, could have been purchased for thirty dollars
per foot; but the trustees thought the price too high.
The new and present site was purchased at a cost of
$10,000, and the following building committee was
appointed: Henry Gifi'ord, Elias W. Leavenworth,
Thomas B. Fitch, Zebulon Ostrum and Albert A.
Hudson. The services of the celebrated architect,
Lefever, were solicited, and plans were submitted by
him of the noble edifice which has so long ornamented
the centre of the city. The church was erected at a
cost of about $40,000; and $10,000 has been since ex-
pended upon it. The new edifice was completed and
first services were held therein November 24, 1850,
It was dedicated two days thereafter.

320 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The old churcli property was purchased by Henry
A. Dillaye, who erected upon that site a handsome
five-story block, at that time by far the finest build-
ing in Salina street. The block covered the entire lot,
and it was then thought to be too far from the centre
of business to be profitable for leasing ; but the in-
vestment proved to be a good one. The building was
burned in 1855, and was rebuilt the following year.
It was soon afterwards purchased by Dennis McCar-
thy for a dry goods store.

The old church edifice was torn down in April,
1850, and just as the last timbers were removed the
venerable and beloved Dr. Adams passed from earth.
The church society removed to Market Hall, April 7,
1850, while the new edifice was being built.

The Rev. Charles McHarg, of Cooperstown, N. Y.,
received a call to become pastor of this church in
June, 1850; he began his pastorate in September and
was installed December 18. In October, 1851, Mr.
McHarg resigned; his pastoral relations were dis-
solved November 2i, and his labors with the church
were closed December 8. His resignation was reluct-
antly accepted by the church, for his character, fine
culture and commanding abilities had rendered him
a favorite with the congregation and the community.

From December, 1851, to May, 1854, the church
was without a settled pastor. A call was extended
February 27, 1854, to the Rev. Sherman Bond Can-

DR. SHERMAN BOND CANFIELD 221

field, wliicli was accepted by him. Ou May 1, 1854,
Mr. Canfield began his pastorate ; and September 26
he was installed. His resignation, made in October,
1870, ill health impelling to this action, was accepted
October 22. His death, March 5, 1871, occurred in
St. Louis, Mo., and his funeral services were held in
the church of which he had been pastor for over six-
teen years. Dr. Canfield was highly educated, a man
of great logical power, sturdy in his opinions, inclined
to be conservative, and at times very eloc^uent; he
was of reserved and somewhat cold exterior, but in
private circles genial and warm-hearted, especially to
young men.

In May, 18G1, the meeting of the General Assem-
bly of the New School Presbyterian Church of the
United States was held in this church, the Rev. Dr.
J. B. Condit being moderator. On January 26, 1870,
a petition was made by some of the members to leave
the church and organize the Fourth Presbyterian
Church. This organization was perfected that same
year, about sixty members joining the new society,
among them being E. T. Hayden, who had served
continuously since July, 1833, as Deacon or Elder.
From October, 1870, to November, 1872, the pulpit
was supplied by the Rev. Dr. J. B. Condit and the
Rev. Dr. E. A. Huntington, both of Auburn Theolog-
ical Seminary, and others.

The Rev. Dr. Nelson Millard, of Peekskill, N. Y.,

222 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

was called to this pastorate May IT, 1ST2; and lie was
installed November 19, following. During that sum-
mer the church had been thoroughly repaired, and
the main auditorium and Sabbath school room elab-
orately frescoed. Dr. Millard was an eloquent, forci-
ble, fearless preacher, and he was greatly respected by
his congregation. In December, 1883, he received a
call from Norwich, Conn. He is now pastor of a
leading church in Rochester. Three meetings of the
church society were held expressive of the desire of
the church to retain the pastor; but the call to Nor-
wich was accepted by Dr. Millard January 13, 1884,
on which date the pastor officiated for the last time.
From that time to Se^jtember, 1885, the pulpit was
supplied mainly by the Rev, Dr. Welleslj^ P. Cod-
dington of the Syracuse University. During Jul}'
and September of 1884, extensive repairs were made
to the edifice and the organ. A call to the pastorate
was extended to the Rev, Dr. George B, Spalding,
of Manchester, N. H,, June 29, 1885, which was ac-
cepted, September 1, following; and the new pastor
was installed, October 1, 1885. Dr. Spalding continues
as pastor of this church, and he is a worthy successor
of the eminent divines who preceded him.

i THE NEW York!

'"^^^^Lic library!

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

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THE STATE ARSENAL.— From a recent photograph.

. CHAPTER XIV

THE OLD STATE ARSENAL

The old State arsenal, located in Onondaga Hollow
(now called Onondaga Valley), is one of tlie most im-
portant historic landmarks of this county ; and it is
fast mouldering into decay, through neglect and
abandonment. It was erected on the hill, half a mile
east of Onondaga Valley, at the side of the old Seneca
turnpike road, leading from Onondaga to Manlius.
It is a stone structure, originally of imposing appear-
ance, two stories and a half high, upon whose roof there
rested, some fifty years ago, two huge wooden cannon
which indicated the purpose to which the building
had been dedicated. But one of the cann<3iMell to
decay, and it was followed by the other emblem of
war. The roof and parts of the walls have also suf-
fered from neglect and the lapse of many years.

The property whereon this building stands was
deeded to the State of New York by Cornelius Long-
street, father of Cornelius T. Longstreet, in 1809.
The building was erected in 1810, and it was occupied

(223)

224 THE OLD STATE ARSEXAL

soon after its completion hj stores which were sent
there by the Secretary of War. It was built by New
York State and occupied by the United States. The
stone for its construction was obtained from the
quarries near by. The building occupies a small
square of ground, somewhat removed from the high-
way, but it possesses the right of way.

In the early days, Onondaga was one of the most
important military posts in New York State. Accord-
ingly, in 1808, an act was passed authorizing the Gov-
ernor of the State to deposit five hundred stand of
arms at Onondaga for the defense of the frontier and
such quantities of ammunition and military stores as
in his opinion would be necessary in case of an in-
vasion. The Governor was also authorized and em-
powered to provide, at the expense of the State, a
suitable place for keeping the arms and military stores
in good order and fit for immediate service, and to
appoint keepers of such places of deposit.

The arsenal was built under the direction of the
Governor, and it was used for a number of years as a
large deposit of arms and ammunition. As a military
storehouse it was abandoned a few years after the
war of 1812, when the necessity for its maintenance
had passed away. The last time the arsenal was in
State use was during the war of the Rebellion, when
Brigadier-General John A. Green of the National
Guard stored a quantity of State arms there, and by
this act maintained the State's right of possession.

JASPER HOPPER 225

Jasjjer Hopper, who came to Onondaga in 1802,
when he was appointed clerk of the County of Onon-
daga, was appointed keeper of the military stores at
the arsenal. He located at the east end of Onondaga
Hollow and kejjt the office there in his dwelling house
for several years. Afterwards he removed the of&ce
to the west end of the Hollow, and kept it there till
its removal to Onondaga Hill. In those early days,
Onondaga was a very important post, and the one to
which all the surrounding posts in the central part of
the State were required to make their report.

Mr. Hopper was also a United States Commissary
for the procuring and distributing of rations to the
army on its marches to and from the frontier. It
might also be added, to show the importance of On-
ondaga Hollow in those early times, that Mr. Hopper
was Postmaster for a period of nineteen years, under
every administration without distinction of party,
during a time when the ofiice was an imj)ortant one,
being a distributing office for the county and posts
adjacent.

The name of Nicholas Mickles should be mentioned
in this connection. He established the Onondaga
Furnace, and carried it on till his decease which oc-
curred at Onondaga Hollow in 1827. This old furnace
stood on the west side of the west road from Syracuse
to Onondaga Valley, just north of where the Onon-
daga Hill road turns westward, on land now embraced

226 THE OLD STATE ARSENAL

in Elmwood Park. During the war of 1812, Mr.
Mickles was employed by the Government to cast shot
and shell for the army and navy. Elisha and Diocle-
sian Alvord were the consignees of this shot and shell,
and they shipped the ammunition to Oswego and
Sacket's Harbor, where the Government forts were
located.

• An account of this old arsenal would not be
complete without some reference to the celebrated
order of sending an armed vessel from Oswego to
Onondaga Hollow. As the accounts of different
authorities differ, it is safe to say that the most
reliable account is that given by Joshua V. H. Clark
in his history entitled "Clark's Onondaga." This
history was published in 1840, and it is the basis of
all the other histories ot this county, so abundantly
rich in the history of the Indians, the pioneers and
the early settlers.

Mr. Clark says: "It was with regard to the
Government property at this place, that Secretary of
War Armstrong committed a most laughable mistake,
which was noticed at the time in most of the public
prints in the Union. A large amount of shot and
shell was lying at the Onondaga Furnace which was
wanted by the fleet on Lake Ontario. Secretary
Armstrong directed one of the Naval Commanders
then at Oswego, to proceed forthwith with one armed
ves>el via the Oswego river, to Onondaga Hollow,

CAPTAIN BENJAMIN BRANCH 227

and remove the Government property from that
place to Oswego. The obstructions at Oswego Falls
were found to be quite too formidable to allow of the
execution of the Secretary's order, and the project
was abandoned. The joke was too good to be kept a
secret, and its publication created much merriment at
the Honorable Secretary's expense."

An effort has been repeatedly made by the Onon-
daga Historical Association to have what remains of
this old building preserved and put in proper condi-
tion, as the sole relic of early war history in this
locality. But nothing has so far been done in the
matter, though steps are now being taken which will
doubtless be successful.

A few years ago, William Kirkpatrick and Major
Theodore L. Poole, in behalf of the Onondaga Histor-
ical Association, .started a project to erect a
monument to the memory of Captain Benjamin
Branch, who was buried, in 1814, on the south side of
the old Seneca turnpike road, at the top of the hill
above Hopper's Glen. But the monument has never
been erected. A letter from the Adjutant-General's
office in Washington, dated July 9, 1889, and written
to Major Poole, gives this account of Captain Branch :
"The records of the office show that Captain Benja-
min Branch, United States Light Artillery, died
October 14, 1814, at Onondaga Hollow, N. Y. Cap-
tain Arthur W. Thornton, United States Light

228 THE OLD STATE ARSENAL

Artillery, was at that time absent from the company,
sick, at the same place; but he died in 1836, in
Florida. There is no record of the death of any
other man of the United States Light Artillery in
October, 1814, when a detachment of the company
passed through Onondaga. From the data furnished
it cannot be determined who the other deceased
soldier, herein referred to, is."

The burial plot for this soldier was purchased by
Captain Arthur W. Thornton from Amasa Cole, the
same day that Captain Branch died. It is a beautiful
site, overlooking the whole valley. The company of
Light Artillery was encamped on the green at Onon-
'daga Hill. CajDtain Branch came from an old
Virginian family, some members of which are still
living in Virginia.

2!^ FOUNDATION.

THE ONONDAGA ACADEMY.— From a loccnt photoffraph.

CHAPTER XV

THE ONONDAGA ACADEMY

The Onondaga Academy, occupying a beautiful
and picturesque location in Onondaga Valley, has a
history which is clearly identified with the earliest
history of Syracuse; and this academy has always
been ranked among the best in the State, graduating
a long list of young men and women who afterwards
attained distinction and honor. It was intended to
be a rival of Hamilton College, and it was founded
by the same man who obtained the charter for
Hamilton College. But through continual lack of
funds, a disadvantage which it encountered from its
very beginning, it never rose above the rank of an
academy. Its first Principal and the President of
its first Board of Trustees, was the Rev. Caleb Alex-
ander, a Presbyterian Clergyman, who was an able,
cultivated, ambitious man, but one who failed to
retain the full confidence of his associates.

In 1801, when Mr. Alexander was forty- six years
old, he was apjiointed as a missionary for Western

(229)

230 THE ONONDAGA ACADEMY

New York, under the auspices of the Massachusetts
Missionary Society. It was his duty to visit the
churches and the Indians and to labor among them.
But he continued in the work for a short time only,
for in 1803 he organized the Fairfield Academy, at
Fairfield, Herkimer county, of which he became
Principal, a school that prospered and one that is
to-day of considerable influence. When that academy
was seven or eight years old, the peoj)le of Fairfield
wished to broaden its basis, in order that it might be
made a college.

Mr. Alexander went to Albany, in order to pro-
cure a charter for such an institution, but instead of
carrying it to Fairfield, he took it to Clinton, a
more promising town near Utica, and where the rival
Oneida Academy, munificently endowed by Dr.
Kirkland, was located. The Clinton people were
glad to get the charter; and thus Hamilton College
came into being. It was stipulated that Mr. Alexan-
der should be the first President of Hamilton College,
in return for obtaining the charter, but he failed in
his purpose. He was paid $5,000 as compensation for
his services to the Clinton j)eople, though the Fair-
field people said it was the price of his treachery.
That was in 1812. The same year he went to
Onondaga Hollow, then a town of considerable im-
portance in the State, and began his plans to found
an institution that would outrank those with which
he had been recently connected.

THE REV. CALEB ALEXANDER 231

From Jasper Hopper's minutes of a preliminary
meeting, held in Onondaga Hollow, now known as
Onondaga Valley, August 15, 1812, it is learned that
upon application made by the Rev. Caleb Alexander,
subscription papers were prepared for establishing an
academy for the instruction of youth, to be located
not more than one hundred rods from the Seneca turn-
pike road. The subscriptions were in shares of $25
each, and were payable to John Adams and Joshua
Forman, in three yearly installments and not to be
binding unless $4,000 was subscribed for the purpose.

The sum of $2,000 was subscribed at that meeting,
Joshua Forman heading the paper with $500. A sim-
ilar paper pledged the subscriber to contribute to a
fund for the endowment of the academy, the aggre-
gate to be not less than $3,000. This contribution was
to be in money, in land or in mortgages upon land,
the interest to be paid annually. Shares in this fund
were to be twenty dollars each. Joshua Forman
headed the list with $750. At the close of the meeting
the endowment fund had reached $3,425.

The papers were circulated for some weeks subse-
quently, and each fund was increased to something
over $4,000, as appears in the application for the char-
ter. As these subscription papers were not preserved,
it is not known who were all of the contributors to the
academy funds. The charter names twenty-two trus-
tees as follows : Joshua Forman, John Adams,

232 THE ONONDAGA ACADEMY ,

Thaddeus M.Wood, Nicholas Mickles, Joseph Forman,
Joseph Swan, William H. Sabin, George Hall, Cor-
nelius Longstreet, Caleb Alexander, Dirck C. Lansing,
William J. Wilcox, Levi Parsons, Judson Webb,
Jasper Hopper, Gordon Needham, James Geddes,
Daniel Bradley, Benjamin Sanford, Jacob R. DeWitt,
Oliver R. Strong, Jacobus DePuy. More than one-
fourth of these original trustees were graduates of
eastern colleges.

A charter was applied for as soon as the funds
were subscribed, but it was not granted until April
30, 1813, after considerable correspondence between
the subscribers, the Board of Regents and Governor
Tompkins. The institution was endowed by the State
with a gift of land from the Literary Fund of the
Board of Regents. In the meantime the school had
been opened by Mr. Alexander in September, 1812, in
the Lancastrian school house which had been erected
in Onondaga Valley in 1809. That building is still
standing.

The courses of study arranged by Mr. Alexander
give evidence that the Onondaga Academy was desig-
nated for a high grade college. In addition to the
Lancastrian department, as it was called in those days
— which required the older and more capable pupils
to act as monitors in taking charge of the younger
ones, resulting in what is now known as the system
of monitorial government — there were to be the reg-

THE LANCASTRIAN SYSTEM 233

ular Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior classes ;
and the studies prescribed for each class were closely
modeled after the Yale College curriculum.

One of the important features of the Lancastrian
system of education was object teaching, as now used
in kindergarten schools; and another feature was
teaching the rudiments of handicraft, now known as
manual training, and in some instances teachers were
trained somewhat after the manner of the present
normal school methods. The kindergarten features
were dropped after two or three years, but the system
of governing through the agency of monitors, com-
monly called "spies" by the pupils, was not entirely
extinct as late as 1862,

In October, 1813, orders were given for the erection
of an academy building, seventy-four by thirty-four
feet. Building operations were commenced that winter,
the contractors being two brothers, Moses and Aaron
Warner; but the house, which was made of stone,
was not ready for use until the spring of 1815, and
not entirely completed until the middle of 1816.

A belfry was added at an additional cost of $30,
and the tin on its roof shone like silver, being visible
many miles distant. It became a favorite trysting place
for the students, and many names and initials are
carved upon its woodwork. The belfry was con-
structed to receive a bell which had been bought in
Albany and brought to Onondaga Valley on a freight

234 THE OXONDAGA ACADEMY

wagou. Tlie bell was presented to tlie Academy by
Joshua Forman, and the same old bell is still in
service.

That belfry, which possesses many associations dear
to the graduates of this historic academy, came near
being fatal to the building, for one night it was found
to be in flames. Two young men, mischief-loving
fellows, boarded at the time with Lewis H. Redfield,
learning the printer's trade and attending school.
They saw the fire and heroically put it out. These
young men were Willis Gaylord Clark, the renowned
poet, and his brother, Lewis.

The first meeting of the Board of Trustees, after
the granting of the charter, was held in the old school
house April 24, 1813. Mr. Alexander was chosen
President. Joseph Swan was chosen Treasurer, and
he was the only one of the original twenty-two trustees
that remained in the Board continuously from that
time till the dissolution of the Board in 1866, and dur-
ing a large part of that time he held the office of
Treasurer, Secretary or President. Jasper Hopper
was the first Secretary. Thaddeus M. Wood, a re-
markably bright, though pugnacious, attorney, was
one of the most active of the Trustees, and his
aggressive personality impressed itself upon the policy
of the young academ3\ It might also be added that
much of the legal difficulties which hindered the
progress of this academy in the early days, causing

STRICT RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES 235

several of the princijjals to sue for their sahT,ries, was
doubtless due to Mr. Wood's fondness for indulging
in a law suit.

A committee was appointed at that first meeting,
consisting of Caleb Alexander, William H. Sabin and
Thaddeus M. Wood, to prepare a code of by-laws for
the government of the Board and of the school. The
rules are similar to those adopted by almost all the
early colleges in the country. They were very rigid,
and the strictest religious observances were com-
manded from the students. But in spite of the mon-
itorial system of self-government there was very little
discipline, as the principal lived a mile away, man-
aging his farm (the Lemuel Clark place). Students
were detected in all sorts of offenses and brought to
trial. The first case recorded is that of Robert C.
Owen, whose offense was card playing. He was con-
victed and expelled. Who his accomplices were in
the game is not now known. It may be that Joseph
Smith, the founder of Mormonism, played with him;
for Josejoh was at that time living at the house of W^il-
liani H. Sabin, as a sort of choring boy, and he was
much given to card playing and kindred amusements.

The dormitory plan for rooming the students,
adopted in almost all colleges, prevailed in the young-
academy. When Mr. Alexander had shown himself
a poor disciplinarian, his salary was cut down from
$500 to 6350, and finally his resignation was accepted

336 THE ONONDAGA ACADE3IY

by the Board of Trustees. This was probably in
August, 1817, but the Secretary unfortunately omitted
the date from the minutes in which the event was
recorded, Mr. Alexander was at the next meeting of
the Board, elected President as usual, but in 1818 he
was defeated, and he never again attended the Board's
meetings. His seat as a trustee was retained till 1825,
when it was declared vacant by non-attendance.

Mr. Alexander was born in Northfield, Mass., July
22, 1755. He was graduated at Yale College in 1777.
How it happened that he came to Onondaga Hollow
is not known. Possibly it was through the influence
of the Presbyterian pastor there, the Rev. Dirck C.
Lansing, who married his daughter. Mr. Alexander
died in 1828. His son, William H. Alexander, founded
the Alexander Iron Works of Syracuse, which busi-
ness was continued by his son, William H. Alexander,
under the firm name of Alexander, Bradley & Dun-
ning. That business is now carried on by William
D. Dunning.

Although the statement does not appear in the
records, possibly by design, there is abundant evidence
to show that the academy, as conceived by Mr. Alex-
ander, was intended for a boys' school.

The courses of study, the rules and regulations,
the penalties, the absence of all allusions to sex and
the general sentiment of that day regarding the proper
sphere of woman all go to show that girls were not

CO-EDUCATION AS EARLY AS 181G 237

expected to share in the benefits of the Onondaga
Academy. Although the movement for the advanced
education of young women was not then thought of
in this country, yet here in this valley, as early as
1816, girls were admitted to study in an institution
modeled after Yale College and intended as a rival to
Hamilton College. Mr. Alexander, a rigid, old-school
teacher, opposed the project, and so strenuously that
a compromise was effected. On September 14, 1815,
a committee was appointed to purchase a lot and build
a female academy and boarding house adjacent to
Onondaga Academy. The sum of $2,000 was named
as the limit of cost, and Mr. Alexander was directed
to solicit funds for the purpose among the ' ' friends
of science," and he was to be relieved of a part of his
duties of instruction and allowed his traveling ex-
penses. Nothing more was recorded of this project
except an item some years afterwards to the effect
that Mr. Alexander had sued the board for his trav-
eling exjDenses and an allowance of $1.50 a day. The
first teacher employed in the female department was
Miss Otis of Troy; and she was succeeded by Miss
Ann Maria Tredwell, who afterwards became the wife
of Lewis H. Redfield. The distinction between the
male and female departments was retained till the
academy came under the control of the Presbytery of
Onondaga, but after the first twenty years it was
merely a nominal one.

238 THE ONONDAGA ACADEMY

After Mr. Alexander's resignation, the school was
managed temporarily by the usher, Philo Gridley,
who had been employed to reside in the building and
preserve order, until the Rev. Samuel T. Mills was
appointed principal. Then came Sylvanus Guernsey,
probably in 1821; the Rev. Jabez Porter, who taught
only a few months; and then, in 1824, Samuel B.
Woolworth was appointed principal. During the
principalship of Mr. Woolworth the courses of study
were greatly revised, the old puritanical, inquisitorial
code of government was set aside ; and simple, sensible
rules were adopted. During his six years of service
he revived the reputation of the school in all parts of
the country, and brought in a class of students that
have made their mark in society.

The Rev. Edward Fairchild was the next xDrincipal
from 1830 till 1831; J. L. Heudrick from 1831 till
1845. Mr. Hendrick was a man of many traits, eccen-
tric, careless in his manners, good-natured, jolly,
quick-tempered. More anecdotes are remembered
of him than of any other of the principals. For
the first two or three years of his term he was
continually quarrelling with the trustees. There were
quarrels about stoves, quarrels about stove-pipes, about
the division of room rent fees, about his salary, about
a garden for the principal. But all these matters
were adjusted, and Mr. Hendrick became very pop-
ular. During his principalship the academy regained
much of its lapsed prestige.

TRANSFERRED TO THE FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT 239

The Rev. George Thompson was principal from
1845 till 1847. About this time the academy was
virtually passed over to the Presbytery of Onondaga,
under the agreement that all appointments to the
Board of Trustees or to the faculty should be made on
the nomination of the Presbytery. The next prin-
cipal was the Rev. Clinton Clark, The administration
of Mr. Clark was signalized by the complete reunion
of the male and female departments. James M. Burt
was the next principal in 1817. He had a stormy
term of three or four years, in which the whole com-
munity was scandalized by the rumor that some of
the students had indulged in dancing and music.
John Dunlap was the next principal in 1851.

Plans were made in 1852 for a new building, which
was completed in 1851. In that year Mr. Dunlap was
succeeded by Mr. Bennett; and then came in rapid
succession Mr. Lindsley, Mr. Kellham, Mr. Phelps and
Benjamin F. Barker, though j)robably not exactly in
this order, for the records are confusing. Theodore
D. Camp was princijjal from 1859 till 1861. He was
succeeded by Jacob Wilson, during wnose adminis-
tration the academy was transferred to the Onondaga
Free School District to be managed by a Board of
Education chosen by the people. This was in 1866.
The last meeting of the academy trustees was held
on the 12th of May, 1866, and the proposition to turn
over the property of the corporation to the new school

240 THE ONONDAGA ACADEMY

district on- condition that the latter assume the debt
of $2,500 upon it was adopted unanimously. The
trustees were glad to be relieved of their duties.

William P. Goodelle was principal from 1866 to
1868, excepting about one month in 18G7, when Isaac
Bridgman was principal; then came Wheaton A.
Welch from 1868 to 1874; Mr. Harrington in 1875;
O. W. Sturdevant from 1875 to 1887; E. D. Niles till
1892; and A. W. Emerson till 1893. The present
principal is David H. Cook.

The Onondaga Academy has graduated about 7,000
persons, a large portion of whom have led prosperous
and honored and eventful lives. A large number of
the residents of Syracuse received their early edu-
cation in this institution, and their commencement
exercises were for many years a great social event,
attracting many of the graduates and a large number
of the residents of this city. The academy has passed
through many vicissitudes of fortune,. encountering
adverse criticism, neglect on the part of its trustees
and faculty and graduates and students, surviving
many periods of financial discouragement, and yet
presents at the present time a healthy and prosperous
appearance. It ranks to-day among the best academies
in the State.

CHAPTER XVI

FIRST SETTLER IN THIS COUNTY

Epliraiui Webster, the first white person who made
a permanent settlement in Onondaga county, was a
very remarkable man. It was through his friendship
and influence that Asa Danforth and Comfort Tyler,
the pioneers in settling Syracuse, were permitted to
settle in Onondaga Hollow in 1788. Many things
have been written and told of him, but much of his
history, preserved in tradition and print, is unfortun-
ately more romantic than real. It is known that Mr.
Webster wrote out the story of his life, abounding in
adventures among the Indians; and there has been
some conjecture as to what became of this manuscrij^t.
The story that was commonly reported, and which
has been handed down in tradition, is that the author
intrusted his manuscript to a young law student in
Onondaga Hollow for the purpose of having it pub-
lished in New York city; and that the young man,
after returning from New York city, told Mr. Web-

(241)

242 FIRST SETTLER IN THIS COUNTY

ster that lie had lost it while passing down the Hudson
river.

There are several people now living in Syracuse
who are the descendants of Ephraim Webster; and
there are some old people among them who can well
remember the generation that followed this early pio-
neer. The story which comes from them, and it bears
strong marks of probability, is that Mr. Webster
either sold or gave his manuscript to James Fenimore
Cooper, the great novelist, who used it in writing the
celebrated Leather-Stocking tales. The life and char-
acter of Ephraim Webster are very similar to those
of Natty Bumppo, the hero of Cooper's Indian stories.
In speaking of his hero, Mr. Cooper says in his preface
to " The Deerslayer :" " He is too proud of his origin
to sink into the condition of the wild Indian, and too
much a man of the woods not to imbibe as much as
was at all desirable, from his friends and companions ;"
though he also adds that "in a moral sense this man
of the forest is purely a creation."

Mr. Webster not only won the friendship of the
Onondaga Indians, some time after they had ceased
to be man-eaters, and the gratitude of the early set-
tlers of this county, as was shown in the large grants
of land given him, but he was very serviceable to the
government of this State not only but also to the
United States. The dates of Webster's birth and
death and the dates of the writing of the Leather-

HERO OF THE LEATHER-STOCKING TALES 243

Stocking tales, the character and life of Webster and
of Cooper, add strong probability to the statement
that Webster was Cooper's guide through the forests
of New York State and that he furnished valuable
material to America's great author. Webster was
born, according to the old family Bible, June oO, 17G-2,
and died October 16, 1824. In "The Pioneers," the
first of the series written, the Leather-Stocking is
rejjresented as already old and driven from his early
haunts in the forest by the sound of the axe and the
smoke of the settler. " The Deerslayer " should have
been the opening book, for in that work he is seen
just emerging into manhood. "The Pioneers " was
published in 1822; "The Deerslayer" in 1841.

Mr. Webster is known to have been an eloquent
man, for it was through his persuasive tongue that
he frequently escaped death at the hands of the sus-
picious and jealous Indians. The following sketch of
his life is from . a manuscript in the possession of the
Onondaga Hisk>rical Association: "I was born' in
the town of Hemsted, in the State of New Hampshire,
and wlien I attained my twenty-first year, as the war
was then raging between the colonies and the mother
country, I enlisted into the army of the former for
eighteen months and joined the regiment of Colonel
Jonson, also from New Hampshire. We marched
immediately for Lake Champlain, and on arriving in
the vicinity of Ticonderoga the corps to which I

244 FIRST SETTLER IN THIS COUNTY

belouged was divided into two bodies and stationed on
each side of the lake which was here about three miles
wide."

Here follows the story of one of Webster's feats,
when, in company with another soldier, he swam
across the lake to carry disj^atches to the other portion
of the troops.

" When the term of my first enlistment expired, I
returned home and spent three months and then again
enlisted nnder old Colonel Jonson and continued in
the service till the close of the war. During the last
part of my service I was stationed at Greenbush, and
while there I formed an acquaintance with a Mohawk
Indian by the name of Peter Yarn. Being desirous
of learning the Indian language, after receiving my
discharge I returned home with him, whose residence
was on West Canada Creek. Here I spent three
months without speaking a word of English during
the time. Being now able to converse with the Indians
in their own language, when the spring was fairly set
in I went to the mouth of Onondaga Creek and com-
menced a very brisk trade with the Onondagas for
furs and other articles of native merchandise. After
three weeks' traffic, having accumulated a pretty good
stock in trade I went to Albany, employing several of
the Onondagas to accompany me to assist in trans-
porting my goods.

" While in the city I learned from several persons

WEBSTER S MANUSCRIPT 245

of importance, one of whom was General Schuyler,
that the British agents at Maumee and other western
posts were striving to induce the western tribes to
continue a warfare against the country and had also
sent an agent to the Six Nations to induce them to
unite in hostilities; and as to the agents that our
government had sent to treat with these western tribes,
they had slain one, bribed the second and frightened
the third away.

"Under these circumstances after some hesitation
I was inclined to enlist as an agent of the govern-
ment under disguise to visit these western tribes and
ascertain how far they had been tampered with by
British emissaries. Having become somewhat of a
favorite among the Onondagas and neighboring tribes,
twelve hundred, principally Mohawks and Oneidas,
volunteered to accompany me, who pledged themselves
to bring me back in safety, or to fight in my defence
as long as a warrior remained. Partly under the pre-
tence of holding a grand council with the western
tribes and partly that of a general hunt, we visited
the different posts along the western frontier without
molestation or suspicion and remained nearly six
months in the country. As I could speak the Indian
tongue fluently and was dressed in the Indian style,
my companions had no difficulty in concealing my
true character by representing me as having been
captured by the French while a young child and

24G FIRST SETTLER IN THIS COUNTY

afterward purchased by the Moliawks and adopted
into their tribe.

" In this borrowed character, by being constantly
on my guard, I passed without suspicion and thus I
had an opportunity of discovering the machinations
of the English, which I communicated from time to
time to my employer. At the end of six months,
however, I was taken sick with a western fever and
returned home with my companions. When the
English discovered that their trickery had been dis-
covered and communicated to our government, they
were highly indignant against me and offered fifteen
hundred guineas for my person or my scalp. They,
however, no longer hesitated but signed the treaty of
peace which included the western tribes that were in
their particular interest. I now returned to my old
station at the mouth of the Onondaga Creek, and
resumed my business of trafficking in furs.

"The second year after my return, a Mr. Newkirk
came into the country with two men in his employ,
bringing with him two barrels of New England rum,
five barrels of whiskey, a quantity of blankets, some
red yarn, several dozen hawkbells, a large stock of
small white beads. I soon discovered that he was a
man of intemperate habits, his favorite beverage being
hot flip, made in a cup manufactured from an ox-horn.
As I discovered that his habits would soon make a
finish of liitn if jjorsisted iu, I was anxious to talk

AN INDIAN TRADER 247

with him on the subject. It was, however, a consid-
erable time before I could find him sufficiently sober
to listen to me, and then he very abruptly replied that
' God Almighty owed him a debt of fifteen hundred
dollars, and he was determined to settle the account
as soon as possible.'

" He continued about three months after this and
died alone in his cabin in a fit of what would now be
called delirium tremens, his men having left him
some days before. With a slab of cedar shaped some-
what in the form of a shovel 1 dug a grave in a sand
knoll near by, placing a slab at the bottom, two at
the sides, with another to lay over the body, when
the Indians, who had taken the liberty of staving the
head of one of the casks of rum and drinking to their
heart's content, gathered around in great numbers and
manifesting their feigned sorrow in a manner that beg-
gared all description, whooping, singing and weeping
and dancing, they tumbled into the grave faster than I
could drag them out, till finding it impossible to pro-
ceed any farther, while they were present, I finally
hit upon the plan of advising them to go and get
another drink.

" Approving of the suggestion which was so much
to their own taste I was soon left alone, and in a short
time I had completed my melancholy task. I con-
tinued still to reside at my old station and for several
years carried on a successful trade in furs, ginseng

248 FIRST SETTLER IN THIS COUNTY

and other Indian commodities, till I was called again
into the service of the State by assisting in surveying
the military tracts, in which are now the counties of
Cayuga, Seneca and some other places. After this I
returned once more to Onondaga and settled on the
mile square of land that was confirmed to me for my
services among the Indians,"

These words complete the main portion of the man-
uscript but to it has been added this paragrajjh : ' ' Mr.
Webster lived several years on the above-mentioned
mile square as a prosperous farmer but still keeping
up a traffic with the Indians for furs and other articles
particularly for ginseng, which he prepared and sent
to the Chinese market. In the summer of 1822 or '23
he took a journey to the country of the Senecas with
a view of purchasing their annual stock of this article
when he was taken sick and died in his seventy-third
year. He was buried on the western bank of the
Tonawanda in the town of Pembroke, where his dust
still slumbers without even a stone to mark the spot."

The dates in this concluding paragraph are evi-
dently incorrect, and doubtless arose from the fact
that the exact date of Webster's death was for some
time in doubt. It was in his sixty-third year that he
died. The old family Bible gives the date of his death
as October IG, 182-4, which is doubtless correct. The
date also in the opening paragraph is evidently incor-
rect, as a reference to the history of the Revolutionary

HIS father's family 249

war will clearly show, as compared with the old fam-
ily Bible substantiated by a document referred to in
the next paragraph. It is not surprising that at that
early day a man who had lived so long among the
Indians should have been somewhat remiss in his
memory of dates.

From a paper in Webster's handwriting it is learned
that his father, Ephraim Webster and Phebe Parker
were married by Ebenezer Hay, December 21, 1752.
His parents' children are thus given: Samuel, born at
Chester, Rockingham county. New Hampshire, Decem-
ber 29, 1753 ; Phebe, borji at Chester in 1756 ; Asa, born
at Chester, April 25, 17S5 ; Susanna, born at Hamstead
in the same county, May 1(3, 17G0, and died April 2,
1795; Ephraim, born at Hamstead, June 30, 17(i2;
Parker, born at Hamstead, April 5, 1765; Mary, born
at Hamstead, Aj^ril 3, 176S; Sarah, born at Hamstead,
April 20, 1770; Moses, born at Hamstead, October 27,
1772; Ebenezer, born at a place whose spelling looks
like Neberry Coos, April 13, 1775, and died, he and
his mother. May 1, 1775. There is a Newbury in
Merrimack county, New Hampshire. Ephraim Web-
ster was married the second time, to Sarah Wells of
New Chester, January 8, 1778, at New Salisbury.
There is a Salisbury, Merrimack county. New Hamp-
shire, where the great Daniel Webster, son of Eben-
ezer Webster, was born in 1782. The statesman Daniel
and the pioneer Ephraim were distant relations.

250 FIRST SETTLER IX THIS COUNTY

Epiiraim Webster's children by bis second wife were :
Ebenezer, born at " Neberry Coos," October 2, 1TT8;
John, born at " Neuburry Coos," September 8, 1780;
Henry, born at New Chester, March 11, 1784; Betsy,
born at Chester, May 31, 1786 and died July 12, 1788.
Ephraim Webster died at New Chester, August 18,
1803, aged seventy-three years, having been born May
24, 1730.

When Colonel Jonson raised his regiment in New
Hampshire in the fall of 1777, young Ephraim, then
15 years old, enlisted and marched immediately to
Lake Champlain, arriving at Fort Ticohderoga, which
General Lincoln vainly attempted to recapture from
the British. The surrender of General Burgoyne at
Saratoga, which occurred soon after, put a stop to
further campaigning, and Webster's regiment returned
to winter quarters. When the term of Webster's first
enlistment expired, he returned home where he spent
three months and then again enlisted under Colonel
Jonson, continuing in the service of the Revolution-
ary Army till the close of the war in 1783,

During the last year of the service, he was sta-
tioned at Green bush, near Albany, and there formed
the acquaintance of a Mohawk Indian, whose name
was Peter Yarn. Webster, then 2i years old, did not
return home. There is a well authenticated story to
the effect that he had became disappointed in love ;
and believing that he had been deceived by one, he

WEBSTER'S LANDING 251

lost confidence in all, and determined .that lie wonld
forever abandon civilized life. He accompanied the
Indian to his home on West Canada creek in Oneida
county, and there learned to speak the Indian lan-
guage. He finally located at Oriskany, where he
became a successful trader, dealing in furs and other
articles of native merchandise.

Webster was present at the great council, held at
Fort Stanwix (now Rome) in 1784, at which a treaty
was made between the Six Nations and the United
States. The confidence which the young man had
gained from the officers of the government and from
the Indians is shown in his having been dispatched
for the Senecas, who were slow in coming to the
council meeting. He remained two years at Oriskany,
and during that time made several excursions with the
Indian hunters to Onondaga.

He became intimate and quite a favorite with the
Onondagas and was invited by them to come and
trade with them. Accordingly in the spring of 178G,
he went to Onondaga with a boat load of goods,
brought from Schenectady by water. A trading
house was erected on the east bank of the Onondaga
creek, then a stream of considerable size, near where
it empties into the lake ; and there the stock of goods
was exposed for sale. This spot was known by the
Indians as "Webster's Camp," and it afterwards be-
came known to the early white settlers as " Webster's

252 FIRST SETTLER IX THIS COUNTY

Landing." When he had accumulated a good stock
of furs from the Indians, he would take them to Albany
or New York.

Webster was generally accompanied in his trading
expeditions by some white man ; but the most promi-
nent traders with whom he became associated were
Asa Danforth, Asa Danforth, jr., and Comfort Tyler,
whom he met at their home in a small clearing in the
town of Mayfield, in Montgomery county. A warm
friendship sprang up between Webster and the elder
Danforth, both of them having served in the Revolu-
tionary war. The result was that Danforth with his
family and Tyler settled in Onondaga Valley, May 22,
1788. This was tlie first permanent settlement by the
white people, men and women, in this county. The
ruins of the old Danforth home, located in the most
fertile and picturesque part of the county in the imme-
diate vicinity of Syracuse, are still standing.

And now the settlement at Onondaga Valley, then
called Onondaga Hollow, began to grow. Other men
with their families, many of whom became distin-
guished throughout the State, settled there. When
the town of Onondaga was cut off from the town of
Manlius in 1798, Webster was made the first Super-
visor.

Webster was made a Lieutenant of militia whereof
Asa Danforth was Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant,
April 11, 1798, and Captain of militia, whereof Elijah

HIS PUBLIC SERVICES 253

Phillips was Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant, Jan-
uary 22, 1801. He was also made Inspector of beef
and pork for Onondaga county, April 8, 1803. He
became a Justice of the Peace at Onondaga Valley in
1805. Webster made his home at Onondaga Valley,
at a point up the Onondaga creek, easily reached by
boat from Onondaga lake. He used the place called
" Webster's Landing " for trading purposes only, that
location being exceedingly unhealthy.

During the controversy with the Indians in the
western part of this State, which so soon followed the
Revolutionary war and whicli was instigated by the
British, between the years 1788 and 1794:, Webster
was employed by the State to gain intelligence in the
vicinity of the Miamis. He was fully successful in his
mission, reported to the satisfaction of those by whom
he was employed, and received suitable reward. He
was often with the Onondaga Indians at Oswego,
while the fort was retained by the British, and ren-
dered valuable service to the State. He would dress
as an Indian, and he eluded every effort by the British
to discover his real identity.

So highly was he esteemed by the Onondagas, that
he was early granted by them a mile square of land in
the most fertile part of Onondaga Valley, extending
westward from Onondaga creek and southward from a
line a short distance north of what afterwards became
theold Seneca turnpike road. This land, containing G40

254 FIRST SETTLER IX THIS COUNTY

acres, was finally granted to Webster by the Legisla-
ture in 1795 for the services he had rendered the State,
Bnt Webster lost this jjroperty through iudorsing the
paper of his friends. The Onondagas, to again show
their great esteem for him, gave him 300 acres,
bounded on the north by lands owned by Joseph
Bryan, Samuel Wyman and Abiel Adams, and on the
east, south and west by the Indian residence reserva-
tion. This gift was confirmed by a grant from the
State, January 14, 1823, according to the copy of the
document in the County Clerk's ofiice, but in July 13,
1823, according to the deeds of this property after-
wards recorded.

Webster established his homestead on the 300 acre
grant. The house was a very substantial building,
65 by 20 feet, two stories high, having hickory beams •
and oak joists, mortised in the plate above and below,
and it was clapboarded with pine. The house now
owned by Munroe Mathewson, about half a mile be-
yond the poor house at Onondaga Hill, is very similar
in ajDpearance and construction.

After Webster's death, the widow continued to live
there ; and after her death, the house became the
property of Mrs. Samuel A. Beebe, and then of her
son, Arthur Beebe, by whom it was transferred to
George W. Hunt. The house was located two miles
south of Onondaga Valley and one mile south of
Dorwin Springs. It was completely destroyed by fire
early Sunday morning. May 3, 1801.

HIS DEATH AND BURIAL 255

Epliraim Webster was a kind, social and obliging
man, mild in disposition, of excellent character, good,
practical judgment and of an intelligence far above tlie
average. He was absolutely without fear. He was
often heard to speak of his wanderings among the
Indians as the happiest days of his life. When he
settled among the Onondagas he married an Indian
woman, who died shortly afterwards. He married
another Indian woman from whom he was divorced,
as mentioned in a previous chapter. But he did not
live with her "near twenty years" as stated in
" Cheney's Reminiscences," since the old family Bible,
now in possession of the Webster family, gives the
date of his marriage to Hannah Danks as Nov. 19,
179G. When the white people began to settle around
him, he married Miss Hannah Danks by whom he had
several children. But Webster led an unhappy life
with the Danks woman as his wife.

It is known that he left Onondaga for Tonawanda
creek in Grenesee county, and that he was buried in
the Indian burying ground just west of the Council
House where the Six Nations held their meetings.
This was October 10, 1824. There is a quit claim deed
recorded in the County Clerk's office, dated December
30, 1824, in which Lucius Halen Webster, a son of
Ephraim, transferred to his mother his interest in the
300 acre patent from the State. When Webster went
away, he did not intend to return. In the early part

25(5 FIRST SETTLER IN THIS COUNTY

of the century, probably in 1803-i, lie visited his old
home in New Hampshire which he had not seen since
he had left the army. It was supposed by his father's
family that he had died.

Webster's body was removed from Tonawanda to
the white cemetery on the Lewiston road, west of
Alabama Centre in Genesee county, the transfer being
made in October, 1831. That is the final resting place
of the man who made an excellent character for
Cooper's " Leather-Stocking Tales."

Ephraim Webster, by his second Indian wife, had
a son Harry, who inherited much of his father's abil-
ity and character and who was Head Chief of the
Onondagas. Harry Webster's sons were George,
Richard aiid Thomas. Thomas Webster is now a
chief among the Onondagas. The children of Ephraim
and Hannah Webster were Alonzo, Lucius Halen,
lantha, Amanda and Caroline. The children of
Alonzo, who was called Deacon, were Alonzo M.,
Hetty A., Ephraim, Orris, Rosetta Amanda and
William. The children of Lucius Halen, a horse
doctor, were Emeline, Caroline, Ephraim and Lucius
Halen. The children of lantha, who married Richard
Beebe, were Samuel, Charles, Edwin, Wallace, George
and Elizabeth. Amanda, who married Abiel Adams,
had one child, Udora. Caroline, the youngest child
of the pioneer, married Samuel A. Beebe, a brother
of Richard Beebe. These Beebe brothers were both

HIS DESCENDANTS 257

farmers and prominent men in Onondaga Valley.
Samuel was at one time Supervisor. Arthur Beebe,
the attorney of this city, is the only child of Samuel
and Caroline, and he lived many years in the old
Webster homestead. Hannah, the widow of Ephraim
Webster, married Samuel Wyman, whose farm ad-
joined hers; and she died January 29, 1837.

Lucius Halen, generally called Halen, was Web-
ster's eldest child by his wife Hannah ; and he was
named after Dr. Isaac Halen of Philadelphia. Dr.
Halen was a great friend of Ephraim Webster and
the two carried on quite a business in selling ginseng
to the Chinese market. Ephraim would collect the
root from the Indians and send it to Dr. Halen, who
would ship it to China. It was while collecting this
ginseng in the western part of the State that Webster
was taken sick and died. After his death, and after
the property had been divided by giving each child
forty acres, Harry Webster commenced six eject-
ment suits in 1836 to recover possession of the 300
acres of land which his father had left ; but his suits,
which ran along for two years, were unsuccessful.

CHAPTER XYII

A CELEBRATED BOTANIC INFIRMARY

One of tlie early landmarks of tliis city, and one that
was widely known tliroughont the State, was the
Botanic Infirmary of Dr. Cyrns Thomson, located in
Geddes, on the old turnpike road — now known as
Genesee street — on the south side of the Erie canal.
The Infirmary was a large, three-story, brick building,
whose principal feature was the ten large stone columns,
constructed after the Ionic style of architecture and
made of stone brought from Vermont. Those stone
columns were a great curiosity in the early days,
as they were the first stone that were imported into
this county ; and it was considered a great waste of
money, as Onondaga stone was abundant. It is said
that an old inhabitant, who came from Vermont, when
inebriated through strong drink and pining for his
mountain home, would embrace those stony pillars
with much warmth of affection, saying they reminded
him of his childhood days as they too came from
Vermont.

(•>5S)

THE BOTANIC INFIRMARY IN lS44.-From an old wood cut.

THE NLW YORK'

PUBLIC LIBRARY;

ASTOR. LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

A SEARCH OF THE RECORDS 259

There is some dispute among the old inhabitants
of this city as to who built this old landmark. The
records in the County Clerk's office show that Andrew
Phares was granted by the State, September 10, 1827,
a patent to lot 6, block 35 and block 69, "of the village
of Geddesburgh." This landmark now stands on lot
6 of block 35. On January 3, 1829, Mr. Phares trans-
ferred the entire property to John Dodge, Asa Phillips,
Amos P. Granger, James Harris, administrator of
Gordon Newton, deceased, Elijah W. Curtis and
James Tuttle for $1,000. Mr. Phillips "of the town
of Granby, Oswego county," sold his interest to John
Dodge "of Salina " for 8100, December 13, 1829. Mr.
Tuttle "of Camillus" sold his interest to Mr. Dodge
"of Salina " for $22. 55, April 3, 1830. Messrs. Harris,
Granger and Curtis sold their interest to Mr. Dodge
"of Elbridge" for $300, June 4, 1831. This left the
entire property in the name of Mr. Dodge, who was
then evidently living in Elbridge. All of these men
were prominent and influential.

In October, 1S31, Mr. Dodge gave a mortgage for
$3,000 on the property to Jirah Durkee of Water-
vliet, Albany county. This mortgage was assigned to
Putger B. Miller, August 13, 1832, and by Mr. Miller
to Chauncey Rowe, December 0, 1833. The uKjrtgage
was foreclosed November 22, 1834, in the suit of Mr. .
Powe against John Dodge, William H. Alexander,
Silas D. Camp, James Johnson, Earnhardt Nellis,

200 A CELEBRATED BOTANIC INFIRMARY

Willinin T. Richardson, tlie president, directors and
company of the Bank of Anbnrn, Ralph Clark, Charles
Williams, George Brinley, William C. Stimson.
Henry Bassett, the president, directors and company
of the Steuben county bank, and Lemon Smith. Tlie
next record in tlie County Clerk's ofl&ce shows that
the property was sold at public sale, held at tlie Syra-
cuse House July 16, 1835, by Chester Hayden, Master
in Chancery, to Cyrus Thomson for $3,350.

By some of the old inhabitants, it is said that John
Dodge built the building, and that he raised the mort-
gage with this object in view ; and that his purpose
was to use the building for a hotel and general stores
in supplying the canal trade. But Thomas G. Alvord,
who has been closely identified with what is now
Syracuse since 1833, and whose memory is excellent,
says he knows that Dr. Cyrus Thomson built the
building, since he himself was present when it was
being built. Mr. Alvord says that the firm of Clark
& Alvord, composed of Elizur Clark and Thomas G.
Alvord, sold a large amount of lumber to Dr. Thomson,
and he thinks this lumber went into the building.
According to Mr. Alvord, this old landmark was built
by the Doctor in the early '40's for an infirmary, but
it was not so used many j'ears, as the business was not
very successful. The building was used for a hotel,
after Dr. Thomson had ceased to use it for an infirmary.

Dr. Cvrus Thomson is remembered as a very

DR. CYRUS THOMSON 261

eccentric man, rough and uneducated, though possess-
ing considerable natural ability, shrewd, a close
observer, and fond of telling amusing anecdotes. He
was the son of Samuel Thomson, the founder of the
Thomsonian system of medicine, and was born Jan-
uary 20, 1707, in Alstead, New Hampshire, where his
father was also born. His father and grandfather
were farmers in his younger days, and he was raised
as a farmer boy.

When he became 21 years old, he had saved 810,
and concluded to try his fortune in the far West. He
started for Ohio, a distance of 600 miles, on foot, in the
company of four other men. He located in Ohio, and
in the following year returned to Boston ; but shortly
afterwards started again for Ohio. In January, 1820,
he arrived at Fabius, Onondaga county, where he
called upon Ephraim Rue who had been practicing
after his father's system for three years. Young
Cyrus and Rue got into trouble in their irregular
practice of medicine, and Februaiy 8, 1821, they were
subjected to a trial and were imprisoned. But Cyrus
succeeded in procuring bail of $1,600. His father
advised him to remain at the seat of his persecution
and continue his practice.

Cyrus Thomson and Miss Maria Mayo were married
in Bridgeport, Madison county, March 27, 1823, and
shortly afterwards they settled in Geddes, Onondaga
county. The Doctor observed of this county :

202 A CELEBRATED BOTANIC INFIRMARY

"Perhaps no other county in the Union is better
adapted to the wants and prosperity of mankind than
the county of Onondaga." A letter from his distin-
guished though eccentric father, dated Madison
county, New York, July 26, 1823, says that Samuel
Thomson of Boston, Mass., authorized Cj^rus Thomson
to act as his agent in selling his medicines and
to become a member of the Friendly Medical
' Botannack " society ; the agreement lasting two years.

The young man was very successful in making
money through what was termed his irregular methods
of practicing medicine. He was frecjuently arrested
and fined, but always made it a point to prescribe for
such patients only as were likelj' to recover, saying it
was the best way to elude the law as he could then
show that few if any of his patients died from his
treatment.

This botanic treatment, called the Thomsonian
system, was founded by Samuel Thomson, who claimed
to have " discovered- the fatal error of Allopathy — the
doctrine that irritation, fever and inflammation are dis-
eases." Samuel wrote in his book published in 1825 :
"Our life depends on heat ; food is the fuel that
kindles and continues that heat ; heat I found was
life, and cold was death, and that all constitutions are
alike," meaning in regard to their anatomy and phy-
siology, their powers and their wants.

The usual medicines prescribed by Dr. Cyrus

HOT DROPS NO. 6 263

Thomson were lobelia, or Indian tobacco ; liot drojjs
No. 6, composed of undistilled wMskey, gum of myrrh
and cayenne pepper ; and sweating. The treatment
was very heroic ; and, if the patient's constitution
was strong enough, it was almost sure to drive from
the stomach almost every form of disease. The Doctor
distilled his own herbs, which were many and all
found by him in this county. His reputation extended
far and wide, and many sick people came to him for
treatment.

The Doctor's principal practice, and the one in
which he made his fortune, was in selling his medi-
cine through his agents and in traveling about the
country, prescribing for all forms of disease. There
are many of the older people who can well remember
this eccentric Doctor, and his invariable prescription
of "hot drops No. 6." Many people were doubtless
benefited hj this kind of medicine, which was very
severe in its effects upon the body, but it would hardly
be popular in these more enlightened days. As already
stated, the Doctor had accumulated sufficient money
in 1835 to purchase the land, which is finely located ;
and in the course of a few years he erected the build-
ing for an infirmary. The building was covered with
signs in large letters. One of those signs read : " The
Lord has caused medicines to grow out of the earth
and why should man despise them ? "

When the canal was enlarged a part of the eastern

264 A CELEBRATED BOTANIC IXFIRI^IARY

side of the building was cut off, thus giving the Doctor
a claim for damages against the State. Testimony-
was taken June 30, 1858, on an award of $2,203.57
given November 9, 1852. The claimant had appealed to
the Canal Board, and April 12, 1854, the case was sent
back. The next award was 64,000. On April 2, 1800,
a total award of $6,520, including interest of $2,520
for the nine years, was given the Doctor, who, during
all this time, had left the eastern side of his building
unfinished and open, exposed to all kinds of weather.

Dr. Thomson received his diploma to practice as a
Thomsonian Botanic physician in this State from the
Thomsonian Medical Society of the State of New York
June 14, 1837. The Doctor became one of the rich
men in his day, owning considerable real estate, bonds
and mortgages ; but he allowed his property and his
business to slip from him, when he found that Jiis
sons, Cyrus and John, would not continue his calling.
In the early part of the '60's he almost ceased to
practice medicine, refusing the many urgent appeals
made upon him. His wife died March 23, 1836, and
the following year he married Miss Emeline Morse,
with whom he lived twenty years. His third wife is
still living.

In 1865 he transferred an undivided half of the
property in question to Maria E. Thomson, his daugh-
ter by his second wife, and in 1867 he transferred the
other undivided half to his son, John Thomson.

THE BOTANIC IXFIKMAKV.-From a recent photograph.

THE NEW YORKl

PUBLIC LIBRAl^Y

ASTOR, LENOX AMt)
TiLDEN FOUNDATIONS.

LEARNED QUACKERY EXPOSED 265

Maria, who married Robert Brown, transferred her
interest to John, April 13, 1868. John died September
19, 1868, leaving the property to his wife, Sarah M.
Thomson, who purchased the inherited interest from
her son, Frank H. Thomson, when he became of age.

Dr. Cyrus Thomson died August 13, 1867, at Bar-
dolph. 111., where he had gone on a visit to his son
Cyrus, who is still living. The doctor is remembered
as a most eccentric individual, but he knew how to
coin money by humbugging the people. The Thom-
sonian system, which once enjoyed great prosperity,
is no longer practiced, except in a limited manner by
irregular practitioners.

One of the Doctor's books was entitled ' ' Learned
Quackery Exposed ; or Theory According to Art, as
Exemplified in the Practice of the Fashionable Doctors
of the Present Day," and compiled by Cyrus Thomson
and published by Lathrop & Dean, printers, Syracuse,
1844. Among the expressions found in the pamphlet
are the following : ' ' Whenever an indi vidu al presumes
to differ from the opinions of the Medical Faculty of the
present day, he is sure to be persecuted and ridiculed
and misrepresented. But all this persecution has no
other effect than to open the eyes of the people to their
situation.

' ' Truth is abroad in the world, and the spirit of
inquiry has gone forth, and the day has arrived when
men of learning and genius are neither afraid nor

266 A CELEBRATED BOTANIC INFIRMARY

aslianied but are proud to avow themselves Tliomsou-
ians, of the Thomsoiiian school, which has extended
its influence through every section of our country
from Maine to Georgia, and from the Atlantic to the
western wilds, and will continue to spread ' till the
name of Thomson is resounded throughout the world
from the equator to the poles,' The vegetable rem-
edies, which the God of nature has scattered with a
lavish hand over every hill and valley of our country
must and will eventually entirely supersede the use
of mineral poisons. Thousands have been hnrried to
an untimely grave by the use of these poisons, when
simple vegetable remedies would have relieved and
cured them almost immediatelj'.'

"According to this system, the stomach is the
grand reservoir from which all parts of the body are
nourished, and by proper food well digested, warmed,
enlivened and invigorated. While the stomach is in
a well-regulated state, the whole man is in perfect
health. When through cold, carelessness in diet, or
whatever course, the stomach becomes disordered, the
food is not properly digested, and the whole man
becomes diseased. Now, a medicine is wanted to
create an internal heat to remove obstructions, to expel
the cold from the system, and restore the digestive
powers, and then the stomach resumes its office, the
food nourishes p.nd strengthens the body and the man
regains his health and strength.

REIGN OF THE MEDICAL FACULTY 267

"Shall man, when he is acting for the good of his
fellow man, be persecuted because the course he is
pursuing in the practice of medicine is well calculated
for the relief of suffering humanity? No; forbid it
Heaven 1 Forbid it Justice! Let the spirit that is
abroad in the land, the elder brother of freedom,
* * * put an end to the reign of the Medical
Faculty and invest all their gloomy subjects with the
rights and illuminations of the Thomsonian system of
practice. If this pamphlet shall produce the effect to
open the eyes of one man or woman and start a train
of thought which shall lead him or her to flee from
the lancet and the poison of the apothecary shop, the
author will feel himself amply repaid for the trouble
and expense of presenting it to the public."

The pamphlet consists mostly of poetry, showing
how the medical faculty is killing mankind by admin-
istering calomel, mercury, arsenic, opium, physic,
blisters and lance. There is a long poem on " Three
Crafts," described in long metre to the tune of " False
Are the Men of High Degree." The burden of the
song is this :

" The nests of college birds are three,

Law, Physic and Divinity ;

And while these three remain combined,

Tliey keep the world oppressed and blind. "

There are many examples given of the fate which
befell those who persecuted the Thomsonian prac-
titioners. The following verse is the lament of a

268 A CELEBRATED BOTANIC INFIRMARY

"learned M. D." who tried very hard to have a
Thomsonian indicted by the Grand Jury for not pre-
scribing the drugs used by the ' ' regular faculty " man :

"AVhere'er I have met them, I've found a repulse,

Too dreadful to mention ; I'm almost convulsed ;

I thought I should conquer, the laurel should wear.

But the thovight of my fortune I hardly can bear.

I found me afflicted with a sore disease,

Which took off my child, mj- wife did not please.

She often distrusted my honor before ;

She caught me too sleek by the meal on the floor."

And then there is "A Remarkable Vision " which
came to Dr. Cyrus Thomson '' while in silent repose
upoi. his bed." The apparition, clothed in a long
white garment, said his name was Deception, the
representative of many who kill their patients by
deadly weapons, such as arsenic, mercury, quinine,
opium, nitre, lancet and knife. The dream caused
some serious reflections in the Doctor's mind. He
said to himself: " If arsenic, mercury and nitre are
in their nature poison, can they in the hands of a
physician be medicine ? If when taken by accident,
these things kill, will they cure when given designedly?
Does not mercury go to the same part of a man when
taken by accident as when given by the doctor?"

There is another long poem called " A new Song,
composed by the Friendly Botanic Society." The
following verses describe the principles of the Thom-
sonian svstem :

THE THOMSONIAN SYSTEM 269

" 'Tis uovv my object to unfold,

In a brief way to you,
My system, or the gen'ral rule,

Which you must keep in view.

' ' See when the patient's taken sick.

The coldness gained the day.
And fever comes as nature's friend.

To drive the cold away.

' ' The body now has lost its fire.

The water bears the sway ;
Quick must the air be rarified.

Or it will turn to clay.

' ' Then place the patient in a room,

A lively fire prepare ;
And give him Nos. one and two.

As warm as he can bear.

' ' And place his body o'er a steam,
With hot stones from the fire,

And keep a blanket round him wrapped,
To shield him from the air.

• The body now receives the heat.

To overpower the cold :
If there be inward fire.
Life will the vic'try hold.

' ■ But if there is no inward heat,
, For you to kindle to,
Then all your labor is in vain,
You must bid him adieu. "

270 A CELEBRATED BOTANIC INFIRMARY

There is an ode to Lobelia, a seed which the
Creator has

' ' strewed on hills and plains,
To ease mankind of gripes and pains."

The pamphlet closes with " Lines on the Thom-
sonian System," written by a patient at the Infirmary.
This eulogistic poem concludes thus :

"The spark is struck that shall illume the world,

The sacred banner of the Truth unfurled.

Thomson appears — upreared by nature's hand,

A second Luther — sent by God's command ;

Poor and unlearned, untutored from the farm,

To pluck from trampled herbs, a healing balm,

Though ' all the powers of darkness ' storm and rage,

A ruthless war against the system wage,

'Tis vain — the day is past — Truth's sacred light

Shall banish error to the shades of night."

"TOEKiWYOR^

PUBLIC

LIBKI^^'^

„^ , fNeX *vN9 ^ I

6-;.0^

©aT'.©Ns^

ill

THE JERRY RESCUE BLOCK— From a recent photofjraph.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE JERRY RESCUE

The rescue of the fugitive slave Jerry, in the fall
of 1851, was probably the most stirring event in the
history of Syracuse. This city was at that time a
busy, active place of some twenty-five thousand
inhabitants. The citizens were intelligent, cultured
and very patriotic. Public meetings in the Town
Hall for the consideration of public questions were
common. To be sure, in the early days of the imme-
diate emancipation movement, those who came to
Syracuse to projjound abolition had met with a
reception which literally made them feel " at home;"
cabbages and more offensive missiles had been show-
ered upon the speakers by an excited audience, and
the meetings had been broken up. But far sooner
than in most places, William Lloyd Garrison and his
friends, on the one hand, and Gerrit Smith and his
friends, on the other, persuaded the people in Syracuse
to listen quietly to their pleading. Some converts
were soon made, especially by the less radical wing,

(271)

272 THE JERRY RESCUE

led by Gerrit Smith. When the Rev. Samuel J. May,
the ardent abolitionist and admirer of Garrison, took
charge of the Unitarian Church in 1845, he found the
ministers and many of the members of the orthodox
Congregational Church, as well as the Unitarian,
were decided abolitionists; and several members of
the Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist Churches
openly favored the great reform.

When the "underground railroad" was started,
Syracuse became a favorite "station." Two colored
clergymen, the Rev. J. W. Loguen and the Rev. S. R.
Ward, were at the head of this movement. They
found a readj^ and willing helper in the Rev. S. J.
May. Mr. Loguen's house, located at the northeastern
corner of East Genesee and Pine streets, was used as
the stopping place for the poor fugitives on their way
to Canada. Several of the leading bankers and busi-
ness men always stood ready to contribute funds and
ask no questions. Hotel keepers complained because
Southerners were learning by experience that Syracuse
was not a safe place to visit with a retinue of slaves.
The trustiest negro was apt to be persuaded by some
one of his moral duty to escape from bondage during
the night ; and next morning his master would leave,
swearing to go to some other town next time he had
to stop in the North. Not a few negroes preferred
remaining in Syracuse to continuing on to Canada.
The Syracuse directory for 1852 gives the names of

THE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL 273

ninety-seven negroes at tlie end of the book in a
separate list headed " Cohn-ed Persons." There were
probably more than this in the city, and the greater
part were escaped slaves.

Such was the condition of the city when, on the
18th of September, 1850, Millard Fillmore, President
of the United States, signed the Fugitive Slave Bill.
The " monstrous " provisions of this law caused great
indignation among the abolitionists of the North, and
in many cases the resentment spread to the less radical
members of the more liberal communities.

In a few places public indignation meetings were
held. What place could be more fitting for such a
meeting than Syracuse ? All the city papers printed a
notice, calling ' ' the citizens of Sj^racuse and its vicin-
ity, without resi^ect to party," to meet in the City Hall
on the 4th of October at early "candle lighting," "to
make an expression of their sense of the act of the
present Congress," known as the Fugitive Slave Law.
This notice was signed by nearly twenty names, some
of them being those of men never identified with the
abolition movement.

On the day appointed, the City Hall was filled to
overflowing with men whose party scruples had at
least been overcome by their sense of justice. The
Mayor of the city, Alfred H. Hovey, presided, and
the following prominent citizens were elected vice-
presidents : E. W. Leavenworth, Horace Wheaton,

274 THE JERRY RESCUE

Jason Woodrutf, (Jliver Teall, Robert Gere, Lyman
Kingsley, Hiram Putnam and Dr. Lyman Clary, who
was the only one among them previously known as
an active abolitionist. A set of thirteen resolutions
was passed with but one dissenting voice. J. H.
Broad, a young Democrat and a lawyer, made a speech
in favor of upholding the law, but the speech was
received in silence.

The resolutions referred to the Fugitive Slave Law
as "a most flagrant outrage upon the inalienable
rights of man and a daring assault upon the palladium
of American liberties ;" they called upon the people
to read the law "in all its details, so that they may
be fully aware of its diabolical spirit and cruel
ingenuity, and prepare themselves to oppose all
attempts to enforce it;" they "recommended the
appointment of a vigilance committee of thirteen
citizens, whose duty it shall be to see that no person
is deprived of his liberty withoitt due process of law."
The names of the vigilance committee as announced
were: C. A. Wheaton, Lyman Clary, V. W. Smith,
C. B. Sedgwick, H. Putnam, E. W. Leavenworth,
Abner Bates, George Barnes, P. H. Agan, J. AV.
Loguen, John Williams, the Rev. R. R. Raymond
and John Thomas.

The meeting was adjourned till the 1st of October.
During the week the "Friends of the Union " had
opportunity to get themselves together if they could,

PUBLIC SENTIMENT AGAINST THE LAW 275

but the public sentiment against the new " Law" was
too strong. The second meeting was even more
strongly enthusiastic than the first. Resolutions were
passed declaring ife to be "the dictate of prudence as
well as good fellowship in a righteous cause that we
should unite ourselves in an association pledged to
stand by its members in opposing this law, and to
share with any of them the pecuniary losses they may
incur under the operation of this law;" and also that
"such an association be now formed." Besides this,
a petition for the repeal of the act was signed by a
large number of people and sent to Congress.

In justice, it must be said that there was a sparsely
attended meeting of the " Friends of the Union " men
afterwards. This was presided over by Major Moses
D. Burnet, but this counter-convention proved a failure
and its officers deserted it.

The leaders in the abolition movement in the
central and western parts of New York, most of them,
belonged to the Liberty Party, at whose head stood
Gerrit Smith. This party differed from the Anti-
Slavery Party, whose stronghold was in the New
England States, in that it claimed that slavery was
unconstitutional; while the Anti-Slavery Party ad-
mitted its constitutionality, but preferred the destruc-
tion of the Union and the constitution to the contin-
uance of slavery. This difference of point of view
between the two parties, which were really working

270 THE JERRY RESCUE

for a common end, often caused mucli bitterness of
feeling.

When, however, the Anti-Slavery Party, in the
spring of 1851, was denied a place of meeting in New
York city, it was glad to accept the invitation of the
Syracuse abolitionists to hold its meeting in this city.
The convention was held on the 7th, 8th, and 0th of
May, and was very successful. Gerrit Smith and the
Rev. Samuel J. May welcomed the society. The reso-
lutions unanimousl}' passed by the society were as
radical as usual. One of the resolutions read: "That
as for the Fugitive Slave Law, we execrate it, we spit
upon it, we tramj^le it under our feet."

The Liberty party itself had several local meetings
in Syracuse during the spring. The doctrines of this
party, as announced in the resolutions adopted at its
national convention in Buifalo on September 17, 1851,
were: "That righteous civil government enacts no
laws, enforces no laws, obeys no laws, honors no laws
for slavery." Resolutions were also then passed,
declaring it right to oppose the execution of the
Fugitive Slave Law.

There were a number of people in Syracuse,
however, who pretended, at least, to admire law and
order above all things, and to fear to hurt the rights
of the South. These " Friends of the Union " became
alarmed at the great activitj^ shown by the abolition-
ists, and to offset it they invited Daniel Webster to
deliver an address.

DANIEL WEBSTER'S SPEECH 277

Mr. Webster came on the ninth of June, and sj^oke
to a large audience from the balcony in the Courier
building, overlooking the square in front of the City
Hall. He ended with these words : "Those persons
in this city who mean to oppose the execution of the
Fugitive Slave Law are traitors! traitors! traitors!
This law ought to be obeyed, and it will be enforced ;
in this city of Syracuse it shall be enforced, and that
too in the midst of the next Anti-Slavery convention,
if there shall be any occasion to enforce it."

There still existed the association, formed by many
of those present, at the indignation meeting of October
4th, 1850. A rendezvous had been fixed upon, and it
was agreed that anyone who might know or hear of a
person in danger should toll the bell of an adjoining
meeting-house in a particular manner. Two or three
times in the ensuing twelve months the alarm was
given, but the cause for action was removed by the
time the members reached the rendezvous, excepting
in one case, when it was thought advisable to send a
guard to protect a threatened man to Auburn or
Rochester. At last the time came.

Among the escaped slaves then living in Syracuse
was a man named Jerry. His last name is in doubt.
Some say it was McHarg ; some say it was McHenry.
He was generally called simply Jerry ; and he was
officially known as Jerry. In the winter of 1849-50
he entered the cabinet store of Charles F. Williston,

278 THE JERRY RESCUE

who became the Democratic Mayor of the citj- in 1856,
and was given employment in turning lathes. He was
then about thirty years old, large of frame and very
powerful. It was said that he had escaped from his
master's plantation in Missouri. Jerry afterwards
engaged in the cooper trade in the shop of F. Mack in
the First ward. He was here alone one morning
quietly at work when he was seized from behind,
handcuffed and taken before the United States
Commissioner, J. F. Sabine, upon the pretense that
there was a warrant against him for theft. He there
learned that he was arrested under the fugitive slave
act. The Commissioner's office was in the old Town-
send block, located in West Water street, between
South Salina and Clinton streets.

Jerry was arrested on the first of October, 1851.
The city was filled with ^asitors. An unusually good
county fair, then at its height, had attracted hundreds
of the farmers from the regions round about. And
to crown it all the Liberty Party State Convention was
in session at the Congregational church. A buildiiig
now known as Convention Hall, located on the north
side of East Genesee street, directly west of the
Courier building, is standing on the site.

At the convention the State officers for the fall
elections had just been nominated, when the ringing
of the bell in the Congregational church brought
everybody to their feet. The meeting was at once

THE FAMOUS TRIAL OP JERRY 279

adjourned, and the delegates went in a body to
Commissioner Sabine's office. Every church, bell in
the city, save that of the Episcopal church, rang out
the alarm. The entire city was aroused, and the
people flocked to the Commissioner's office.

Meanwhile the trial was going on. Jerry had been
arrested by the United States Deputy Marshal Henry
W. Allen, on a warrant issued the day before for the
apprehension of a colored man known as William
Henry (in the warrant named Jerry), on the claim of
John M. Reynolds of Marion county, Missouri, repre-
sented by James Sear of Newark, Knox county,
Missouri. James R. Lawrence, United States Attorney
for the District of Northern New York, and Joseph W.
Loomis appeared as counsel for the claimant ; and
Leonard Gibbs of Washington county, who had been
attending the Liberty party convention, appeared in
behalf of the alleged fugitive.

Mr. Sear testified that he knew Jerry (pointing to
the alleged fugitive) ; became acquainted with him in
1820, when he first knew John M. Reynolds, and knew
Jerry till 1845; knew Jerry's mother, and if living she
was with John M. Reynolds or his father-in-law,
William Henry, in Marion county, Missouri; knew
Jerry's mother after his birth.

The symj)athy of the crowd inside and outside the
Commissioner's office was clearly with Jerry; while
the case, as it stood, seemed to be clearly against him.

380 THE JERRY RESCUE

After the ease had been adjourned at half past two for
half an hour, that a larger room might be obtained,
Jerry, acting upon the impulse of the moment, threw
himself into the crowd, rushed down the stairs an<l
into the street, and started on a run for liberty. The
Marshal and his deputies tried to follow, but their
l^ath was made dilhcult. Although the crowd opened
to let Jerry through and closed again when the officers
tried to pass, the handcuffs so impeded the captured
m.an's motion that he was overtaken before having
run many blocks. Jerry was seized just as he was
about to get into a carriage that would have carried
him to lilierty. After a scuffle which left his body
bare and bleeding, with nothing left to cover him but
his pantaloons and i3art of his shirt, he was thrown
into the cart of a truckman, who had been pressed
into the service. One of the Deputies sat on his body
to keep him down ; and thus he was driven through
the streets to the police office and thrust into the back
room. This police office was in the building, located
on the northwestern corner of West Water and Clinton
streets — a building now known as the Jerry Rescue
block.

An excited crowd, a few ready to aid, the vast
majority incensed against the officers, had followed
them to the place where they arrested Jerry and back
again to the police office. The ill treatment of the
poor black man caused indignation in every breast.

THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE 281

Jerry was in a i^erfect rage, a fury of passion. The
Rev. Mr. May, at the request of the Chief of Police,
went into the little room where he was confined, and
after some difiiculty succeeded in quieting him.

Meanwhile, the vigilance committee Avas preparing
for action. Soon after Jerry was taken to the police
office, Thomas G. White invited a few brave spirits
into the counting room of Abner Bates to settle
upon some plan of action for rescuing Jerry. The
men adjourned to meet at Dr. Hiram Hoyt's office at
early candle-light, and to bring with them as many
good and true and brave s^nrits as they could vouch
for. It was about dusk when one by one, and far
enough aj)art to disarm suspicion, some twenty or
thirty men sauntered into the office of Dr. Hoyt.

"It was agreed," writes the Rev. Samuel J. May in
his "Recollections of the Anti-Slavery Conflict," "that
a skillful and bold driver in a strong buggy, with the
fleetest horse to be got in the city, should be retained
not far ofi" to receive Jerry when he should be brought
out ; then to drive hither and thither about the city,
until he saw no one pursuing him ; not to attempt to
get out of town, because it was reported that every
exit was well guarded, but to return to a certain point
near the centre of the city, where he would find two
men waiting to receive his charge. With them he was
to leave Jerry, and know nothing about the place of
his retreat.

282 THE JERRY RESCUE

■"At a given signal, the doors and wiudo^A^s of the
police office were to be demolished at once, and the
rescuers to rush in and fill the room, press around and
upon the officers, overwhelming them by numbers, not
by blows, and so soon as they were confined and
powerless by the pressure of bodies around them,
several men were to take up Jerry and bear him to the
buggy aforesaid. Strict injunctions were giA^en, and
it was agreed, not intentionally, to injure the policemen.
Gerrit Smith and several others pressed this caution
very urgently upon those who were gathered in Dr.
Hoyt's office. And the last thing I said, as we were
coming away was: 'If anyone is to be injured in
this fray, I hope it may be one of our own party.' "

But this was not all that was being done towards a
rescue. The court room overlooked the Erie canal on
one side, while close by the door was a bridge. On
either side of the canal, in front of the building,
was a large open square; and this was filled with
excited men, while many a woman could be seen here
and there in the crowd as well as filling the windows
of all the buildings overlooking this exciting scene.

The bridge spans made a most excellent place from
which to address the multitude, and the abolition
orators made the most of their opportunity. Samuel
R. Ward, the colored preacher, spoke with all the
earnest sarcasm, if not with quite the skill, of ai.
Antony. He reminded the people that there was a

THE OFFICIALS BECAME ALARMED 283

law on the statute books wliicli flew into the face of
one of the first principles of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence. Nevertheless, it was a law and all patriotic
citizens must obey it, though they might be ashamed
to hold up their heads afterwards ; it controverted the
golden rule which they had all learned at their mothers'
knees, but it was a law and they must bow before it;
yonder locked in a room and awaiting the judgment
of his captors, was a man who had committed no
greater crime than to wish to breath the same air of
freedom with themselves. Yet the law said he might
be loaded with chains and carried away like a dog ;
and the law was paramount. C. C. Foot of Michigan
and others addressed the crowd in similar strains.

The officials who had the arrest in charge became
alarmed during the afternoon, and tried to get the
militia out to keep order. Marshal Allen commanded
the Sheriff of the county, William C. Gardiner, to bring
the militia to his aid. Sheriff Gardiner could not do
this, but instead ordered Captain Edward R. Prender-
gast to get his company in order, ready for action if
needed. But there had, as yet, been not the slightest
breach of the peace, and tlie crowd had been remark-
ably well behaved, considering the excitement. The
news that the militia had been called out caused a gen-
eral murmur of indignation in the city. This reached
the ears of Colonel Origen Vandenburgh, who at once
countermanded the orders of the Sheriff, which the

284 THE JERRY RESCUE

latter had no right to give. It might be added that
Colonel Vandenburgh was the moving spirit in orig-
inating the scheme of the "underground railroad"
in New York city. The police of the city, with the
exception of a few who had been pressed into service
of the government, were in sympathy with the general
feeling. The United States officials, few in numbers
as they were, were at the mercy of the crowd.

At 5 o'clock the examination of the prisoner was
resumed. HerveySheldon and David D. Hillis appeared,
to assist Mr. Gibbs in behalf of the alleged fugitive,
and J. R. Anderson appeared to assist Messrs. Law-
rence and Loomis for the claimant. The testimony
of Mr. Sear was resumed ; but before any progress
was made Commissioner Sabine consented to hear the
claim of the defense, that the prosecution should
produce evidence that j)ersous were legally held to
service in Missouri. The excitement of the large and
increasing crowd outside the office was becoming
intense, and a number of windows in the office were
broken by stones thrown against them. At 7 o'clock
the Commissioner adjourned the court till 8 o'clock
the following morning.

The crowd outside had become so excited that it
was clear nothing but the rescue of Jerry could satisfy
it. The rescuing party from Dr. Hoyt's office had
just arrived on the scene, blackened like negroes and
otherwise disguised ; and they were armed with clubs,

JERRY IS RESCUED 285

axes, rods of iron or whatever they coiikl hnd. The
windows were broken in, and the casements were
attacked with axes and bars of iron; but so firm were
the fixtures that progress was slow. Finally a timber
about ten feet long and four inches thick was used as
a battering ram. By the application of this powerful
instrumentality, the casements were soon stove in,
and nothing remained to the rescuers but to enter and
overpower the police, who were retained to guard the
outer door of Jerry's prison. The assailants now
rushed through the apertures into the office, led by
J. M. Clapp, Peter Hollenbeck, James Davis and
others. At this moment, Ira H. Cobb and L. D.
Mansfield, who had remained in the police office to
look after Jerry, turned off the gas, and left the room
in darkness. The partition between the rescuers and
the victim was a strong one, and the door was locked.
The axes and iron bars and other weapons were again
used. Marshal Fitch partially opened the door and
pointed his pistol at one of the rescuers. He received
a blow on his arm from a rod of iron which broke the
bones; and the pistol and arm fell down together.
The Marshal, distracted by pain and fear, leaped out
of the north window of the room onto the side of the
canal, and thus escaped. The other officers opened
the door and thrust Jerry into the arms of his friends,
and thus escaped injury to their persons.

Jerry was received at the door by Peter Hollenbeck

286 THE JERRY RESCUE

aud William Gray, both colored men and the latter a
fugitive slave. His body was mostly naked, being
covered only by tattered pantaloons and shirt, \vhich
hung on him in rags. He was suffering from a
wounded rib and other bruises received by the harsh
treatment of his captors. His powerful frame was
perfectly helpless because of his shackles.

Jerry was taken in a sort of triumphal procession
through the great crowd of people to the Syracuse
House and thence to the railroad depot ; but the mass
of humanity was so dense that the carriage to take
him off could not come to him. Several rescuers now
ran in opposite directions through the crowd, crying:
"Fire! fire! fire!" In a short time Jerry was left
alone with a few brave men, who lifted him, groaning
with pain, into a carriage. It was a long and wander-
ing ride that he took that night. He was finally taken
to a colored man's house in the eastern part of the
city, where his shackles were with some difficulty
removed. He was then clad in female attire aud
taken to the house of Caleb Davis in Genesee street,
his rescuers not being willing to trust his colored
friends.

Jerry was too ill to be moved for several days.
Only five or six people knew of his whereabouts. It
was generally supposed that he was in Canada. Some
abolitionists got so incensed with Mr. Davis for his
denunciations of the perpetrators of the outrage on

THE FLIGHT FOR CANADA 287

law and liberty that they wanted to make it warm for
him. A liberal reward had been offered for Jerry's
apiDrehension, and in some way a faint suspicion was
aroused in the minds of those most eager for his arrest,
that he was still in the city. The roads were all
watched. Four days or so after the " Rescue," Jerry
was able to go forward.

The "article" could not, for obvious reasons, be
forwarded by daylight, and night would not suffice to
reach the St. Lawrence river. One night Jerry was
hidden under some straw in a covered wagon, and
driven rapidly towards the north. Some hint of his
escape reached the ears of the "Patriots," and the
wagon was instantly pursued by two or three others.
There are numerous toll gates in the north part of
Syracuse, along the Cicero plank road. Before the
first wagon, they all opened like magic ; but the drivers
of the pursuing buggies never before encountered such
stupid and sleepy gate- tenders. Two hours before
Jerry left the city, Caleb Davis had driven over the
route and left some money at every toll gate. Under
such unequal conditions, the chase was very soon
given up.

The next morning at day break, the fugitive and
his friend drove into the barnyard of a Mr. Ames, a
well-to-do farmer in the town of Mexico. Mr. Ames
was a Quaker and an Odd Fellow . It was because he
was an Odd Fellow and had been written to by a

288 THE JERRY RESCUE

brother in the lodge that he received liis visitors
kiudly, gave them provisions and shelter and sjjeeded
them on their journej^, though, as he said, he was an
old Hunker Democrat and had no sympathy with
their kind of people. So the day was passed in the
haymow, and a very liberal supply of food was
furnished by the kind-hearted women of the family.

At dark, Jerry was driven to the house of a Mr.
Clark, near Oswego. After some trouble and a delay
of several days, the captain of a small vessel agreed
to set sail after dark. By him Jerry was taken to
Kingston, where he soon was established again in his
trade as a cooper. In Kingston Jerry married; and
according to all accounts he lived a happy and com-
fortable life there for four years, when he was taken
ill and died.

As to just what sort of a man Jerry was, it is hard
at the present day to learn. His friends, the aboli-
tionists, praised him in the highest of terms. The
" Patriotic " papers made him out the most worth-
less of negroes. Said the Syracuse Journal at that
time : ' ' We notice in all sections of the country the
papers represent that Jerry was a very bad fellow,
that he was a thief, etc., and had been in the peni-
tentiary four times in this city. This, if true, would
have very little to do with the merits and demerits of
the Fugitive Slave Law or Jerry's rescue. It could
not be expected that a man brought up thirty-five

THE CHARACTER OF JERRY 289

years in the midst of slaves, where all the command-
ments of the Decalogue are set at naught, would have
a very nice sense of morals. Yet Jerry was not so
bad as many represent. His commitments to the
penitentiary all grew out of difficulties in regard to
the woman he was living with. He was never charged
or convicted as a thief or a robber."

If the more morally earnest men and women of
Syracuse took a high-minded satisfaction in the influ-
ence the " Rescue " would have upon the treatment in
the North of the escaping fugitives, the less intellectual
women were not above getting pleasure in trying to
torture the defeated United States officials in a very
feminine way. They carefully packed up Jerry's
shackles and sent them by express as a present to
President Fillmore. They presented James R. Law-
rence, counsel for the Government in the Jerrj^ case,
with thirty pieces of silver — three cent pieces — as the
price of betraying innocent blood. Many more similar
acts they performed.

The news of Jerry's rescue traveled throughout
the entire country ; it became a ISTational affair. In
the course of a week all the newspapers in New York
State and many beyond had j^ublished some account
of the "Jerry Rescue." By far the greater number
severely censured the entire proceeding, though but
one paper in Syracuse, the " Copperhead " Star, took
this stand. There was great indignation aroused.

290 THE JERRY RESCUE

The Albany Argus, the chief Democratic paper,
said : "" The recital of the outrages upon the law and
its ministers at Syracuse will be read with mingled
astonishment and shame. They are a reproach to the
city where thej were permitted, a burning disgrace
to the State at large. This is the first instance of
forcible resistance to the execution of the laws of the
Union that has occurred in this State. It is the first
instance where an armed mob has attempted, with or
without success, to overcome a judicial tribunal by
violence, to trample on the law."

The Washington Union seriously recommended
that the city be placed in a state of siege by the army,
and be declared out of the Union until it repented of
its sins and manifested a disposition to return to its
duty.

On the 15th of October, it began to look serious
for the men who participated in the rescue of Jerry.
Five men were arrested and taken to Auburn to be
tried before Judge Alfred Conkling; and there was
every indication that more arrests were soon to follow.
The men arrested were Moses Summers, Stephen
Porter, James D. Davis and two colored men : William
Thompson and John Brown. A process was also
served on Ira H. Cobb, but he was ill and unable to
answer it.

The warrants on which these men were arrested
charged them with ' ' having aided and assisted a negro

THE RESCUERS INDICTED 291

man named Jerry, alleged to be a fugitive from labor,"
to escape from Deputy Marshal Allen. The prisoners
were therefore commanded "in the name of the Pres-
ident of the United States of America " to appear
before the court. On the afternoon of that same day
the case was ojDened. For the Government appeared
James R. Lawrence, United States District Attorney,
and for the prisoners, John G. Forbes, D. D. Hillis,
and Q. A. Johnson. Bail to the amount of $2,000
each was provided for the three white prisoners, and
to the amount of $500 for the colored men. George
Barnes, W. E. Abbott and R. R. Raymond signed the
bonds. On the IGth, Prince Jackson and Harrison
Allen, two more negroes, were arrested and brought
before the court.

Judge Conkling decided that it was "proper to
presume that there is no testimony tending to fix
upon the defendants the guilt of any higher offence"
than that of " having unlawfully aided in the escape
of an alleged fugitive from labor." The prisoners
were held for the Grand Jury of the next United
States District Court, to be held at Buffalo on the
second Tuesday of November. Bonds to the amount
of 82,000 for each of the four white men were signed
by ex-Governor W. H. Seward, Lyman Clary, Oliver
T. Burt, Henry Gifford, R. W. Washburn, George
Barnes, W. E. Abbott, Abner Bates, John Ames,
Hiram Putnam, E. W. Leavenworth, C. B. Sedgwick,

292 THE JERRY RESCUE

Samuel Mead, Hiram Hoyt, Daniel McDuugall, Charles
A. Wheaton, R. A. Yoe, Charles Leonard and Alanson
Thorp. Similar bonds of $500 each, for the four
colored men, were signed by ex-Governor Seward.

After the examination of the prisoners was over,
Mr. Seward invited all the party who came from
Syracuse in behalf of the prisoners, to his beautiful
residence, and there entertained them delightfully.

The following is a list of the witnesses introdiiced
for the Government by James R. Lawrence: B. L.
Higgins, Joseph Williamson, Joseph F. Sabine,
George A. Green, John W. Jones, Thomas M.
Masson, Henry M. Baker, Emery Ormsby, Sylvester
House, Henry Shattuck, Charles Woodruff, Edward
Prendergast, Oliver C. Stuart, Henry W. Allen,
Benjamin P. Kinney, William Baldwin, Paige Newton,
Charles P. Cole, Alonzo Torrey, George Blair, Willard
Johnson.

At the Buffalo United States District Court, true
indictments were found against the prisoners held over
by Judge Conkling, and also against W. L. Crandell,
L. H. Salisbury, J. B. Brigham and Montgomery
Merrick. These men all gave bail to appear before
the United States District Court at Albany in January.
Nothing of importance developed at the Albany court,
and the cases were transferred to the United States
District Court at Canandaigua.

At the time of the sitting of the court, Gerrit

THE TRIAL OF THE RESCUERS 293

Smith went to Canandaigua and addressed a large
crowd in the open air, using such forcible arguments
that no jury could be empanelled on which there
were not several who had formed an opinion against
the law. So Judge Hall let all the "Jerry Rescue
Cases " fall to the ground forever.

At these various court sessions, only the cases of
Enoch Reed, W. L. Salmon and J. B. Brigham, who
had also been indicted, came to trial. The two latter
were acquitted, and Reed died while waiting for an
appeal from a conviction.

The men indicted were hardly fair selections. Most
of them had nothing to do with the rescue beyond
a little active sympathy. Although Gerrit Smith,
Charles A. Wheaton and the Rev. Samuel J. May had
published in the papers an acknowledgment that
they had assisted all they could in the rescue of
Jerry, the attorney did not see fit to bring any of them
to trial.

H. W. Allen, the United States Deputy Marshal,
and James Sear, the agent of the claimant, were
arrested on warrants, charging them with attempting
to kidnap a citizen of Syracuse. An indictment was
found against Mr. Allen by the Grand jury of Onon-
daga county, but the prisoner was discharged by Judge
Nelson before whom the trial came, on the ground
that he had acted under the United States laws.

In answer to a call, signed by 800 citizens of

294 THE JERRY RESCUE

Onondaga county, a meeting of those wlio ''respected
law and order " was held in the City Hall, October -25,
1851. The meeting was called to order by Harvey
Baldwin, and Moses D. Burnet was elected the presiding
officer. The following vice-presidents were elected:
B. Davis Noxon, Johnson Hall, Phares Gould, Miles
W, Bennett, James Lynch, Lewis H. Redlield, Israel S.
Spencer, Harvey Loomis, J. Stanford, John G. Forbes,
Thomas Spencer, Ruf us Stanton, Otis Bigelow, Hervey
Rhoades, Daniel Kellogg and E. S. Phillips. The
follo^fing secretaries were elected: W. H. Watson,
Stephen D. Dillaye, Cornelius L. Alvord, Benjamin
L. Higgins and E. C. Adams. The following com-
mittee on ordinances was appointed : George F, Corn-
stock, John F. Wyman, W. M. Watress, Stephen D.
Dillaye and Thomas T. Davis.

The resolutions adopted stated that the "citizens
of Syracuse and of the county of Onondaga deeply
regret the commission of the outrage upon the law,
and would express our unqualified abhorrence of the
monstrous transactions," and "we repel the accusation
that any number of the citizens of Onondaga were
engaged in the affair." This meeting was all the
"law and order" people did to prove their strength in
Syracuse.

For eight or ten years thereafter, on the first of
October, there was held in this city a celebration of
the Jerry Rescu«^. At first these celebrations were

THE FIRST RESISTANCE TO SLAVERY 295

largely attended ; but ^^ear by year the interest in
them died out and they were discontinued. In the
speeches delivered on those occasions, Syracuse was
declared the leader in the cause of resistance to
"oppression and unconstitutional slave law ;" and
ever since the civil war, Syracusans have been wont to
ascribe to the Jerry Rescue the beginning of effective
resistance to slavery in the North.

There was not another attempt made to execute the
Fugitive Slave Law in this part of the State. There
was perfect safety here for fugitive slaves. And
furthermore, the strength of the anti-slavery party
was increased not only here but far outside, by the
successful outcome of the affair. Syracuse was almost
the only city of any size in the North, where the
leaders of the anti-slavery faction had in their ranks
many of the leading business men, lawyers, physicians
and clergymen. But the distinguishing characteristic
of the " Jerry Rescue " is that the leaders carried
through the rescue, even in spite of the likely
acquital of Jerry ; because they wished to work a
moral effect uj)on the community. It was the work
of enthusiasts in the cause of "freedom to the negro,"
rather than of sympathizers with a negro about to be
returned to slavery.

CHAPTER XIX

MERCHANTS IN EXCHANGE STREET

As one approaches the city from Onondaga lake,
coming along North Salina street, he is reminded by
the old-fashioned buildings, now almost deserted, that
a village which once gave prosperity to many enter-
prising merchants has almost passed away. The most
picturesque of these old landmarks and the one that
affects the imagination most vividly in portraying the
commercial importance of Salina, when that village
contained most of the wealth within the present limits
of Syracuse, is the one lojated in the middle of
Exchange street, between North Salina and Park
streets, and now adorned by a sign which shows that
it was once used as a brewery by Dalton & Fleming.

This building was erected close to the Oswego
canal, a short branch of which runs directly in the
rear of the building, and then passes through an
underground outlet into the canal, a short distance
away. The construction of the building, which is
made of brick, three stories high and containing three

(-290)

THE WILLIAMS BUILDING— From a recent photograph.

-^HE^!-'^ YORK.'

PI3BLF

ASTo;.

TILDEN i

THE OLD WILLIAMS BUILDING 297

stores, shows that it was admirably adapted for
carrying on a mercantile business. From the many
signs painted on the north side, facing the canal, it is
evident that grape wine was once manufactured there.

This brick block was erected in 1828, by Williams
& Company, a mercantile firm composed of Coddington,
Gordon and Frank Williams, the first two being
brothers and the latter a cousin, who occupied the
middle store. The store nearest !N'orth Salina street
was occupied by Williams & Allen, and the one
nearest Park street was occupied by Richmond,
Marsh & Clark, composed of Thomas Richmond,
George Marsh and Elijah Clark. Ira H. Williams, a
brother of Frank, clerked for Williams & Company,
and subsequently bought out the firm. He afterwards
took into partnership John P. Babcock, the firm name
being Williams & Babcock. This firm afterwards
moved into Wolf street, where Ira H. Williams
carried on business till about 1878, when he died ;
John P. Babcock naving died some years previously.
Williams & Allen went out of business in the early
■ '40's, and they were succeeded by another mercantile
firm composed of John O'Sullivan Lynch and his
brother James, who continued in business for about
ten years. Richmond, Marsh & Clark went out of
business about the same time with Williams & Allen,
and their store remained vacant for a number of years.

It should be stated that in 1825, when the middle

298 MERCHANTS IN EXCHANGE STREET

section of the canal was opened and when the cutting
of the lateral canal to the salt works in the same year
gave still further stimulus to the community, Free
street, between North Saliua and Park streets, which
contained almost all the large mercantile houses in
the village of Salina, was entirely destroyed by the
cutting through of the Oswego canal. After the matter
had been discussed in the village a few years, a meeting
was held, April 28, 1828, and it was resolved to lay
out Exchange street, between Canal (now North
Salina,) street, and Salt (now Park) street, fifty feet
wide and twenty-four rods long. William H. Beach,
Mathew VanVleck and John G. Forbes were appointed
appraisers. The street was named Exchange street,
as it was an exchange for the business portion of Free
street, which street extended from Lodi to Wadsworth
(now Seventh North) street.

This portion of Free street was simply placed nearer
to Wolf street, and parallel with Wolf street, so that
the business houses might be on the south side of the
canal. Exchange street then became the principal
thoroughfare for the village of Salina,

The only business of any importance at that time
not located in Exchange street was that conducted by
Thomas McCarthy, father of the late State Senator
Dennis McCarthy, who settled in Salina in 1808, and
won the foremost position as a merchant and salt
manufacturer. That store was located at the corner

A BUSINESS THOROUGHFARE 299

of Free and Park streets, the canal having made a
slight bend to the north before reaching it, thus leaving
it on the south side of the canal.

Dean Richmond, who eventually became one of
the leading railroad presidents in the country, was a
merchant in Exchange street. Ichabod Brackett, who
came to Salina about 1800 and who died in 1832, built
a dwelling and store combined on the corner of
Exchange and Park streets. Samuel P. Smith was a
cabinet maker, probably the first of any prominence
in Salina, and his store was also in this street and
near Salina street.

Some of the other merchants were ISToah Wood,
whose son, Marshall Wood, continues to keep a store
in Wolf street, Hezekiah Barnes, Jeremiah Stevens,
Hunter Crane, Felt & Barlow and Crane & Risley.
Almost all these merchants dealt in groceries, dry
goods, boots and shoes, hardware, etc., such as are
generally found in country stores; and nearly all of
them were interested in the manufacture of salt. It
will be remembered by all the old Salt Pointers, who
were always ready for a fight and rather liked it than
not, that Frederick Ganier kept a very fine restau-
rant in this street, in the golden days when Salt Point
contained many rich young men.

Noadiah M. Childs, who is still living, was a mer-
chant, prior to 1841, in the old block, built by Williams
& Company. He was afterwards, when occupying the

300 MERCHANTS IN EXCHANGE STREET

Alvord building, in partnership with Miles W.Bennett,
the firm name being Bennett & Childs. Aimer Pierce,
now living in Park street, was a merchant in the
AVilliams building in the 'GO's. In 1869 the building
was used as a brewery by William Kearney and John
Fleming, under the firm style of Kearney & Fleming.
That firm continued in business about two years,
when Mr, Kearney sold out his interest to Richard
Dalton. The firm of Dalton & Fleming continued the
brewery business some three or four years. Dr. J. H.
Turk, at one time the keeper of the pest house, was
the next occupant of the building, he using it for
making grape wine. H. A. Moyer, the wagon man-
ufacturer, afterwards used the building, which had
been purchased in 1876 by John Greenway for $2,600,
as a storehouse. The two western stores were occu-
pied in 1885 by D. H. Gowing, who continues there
his business of manufacturing Rennet's extract used
in the making of cheese.

In 184:0, a salt company was formed by Dean
Richmond, Ashbell Kellogg, Hamilton White, Horace
White, Thomas T. Davis, Henry Davis, Lewis H.
Redfield, John Wilkinson, Frank Williams, Gordon
Williams and Coddington B. Williams. Tlie purpose
of this company, composed of these influential and
rich men, was to form a monopoly and control the
entire salt industry. The company started by giving
fourteen cents a bushel for the salt, when the market

A SALT SYNDICATE 301

price was eight or nine cents ; and it took the entire
product. The plan was to ship the salt to the West,
and sell it at large prices in the rapidly growing States,
far removed from the sea coast. The western head-
quarters was Columbns, Ohio; and the company was
there represented by Dean Richmond. The salt was
shipped west and exchanged for wheat, which was
shipped to the eastern market. But the company lost
heavily on the salt and on the wheat. The country
had not recovered from the disastrous panic of 1837;
and there was a great stringency in the money market.
Among the principal creditors of this salt syndicate
were the directors of the Bank of Pontiac in Pontiac,
Mich. Those were times when " wild cat " banks and
"wild cat " business ventures prevailed extensively in
the western States. The great depression in money
matters caused all the banks in Michigan to fail. The
Bank of Pontiac had as its principal asset the Pontiac
railroad, which is now called the Detroit, Pontiac and
Milwaukee railroad. The State of Michigan had
loaned its credit in building this railroad. The salt
company took the railroad in payment for its salt sold
in that State. These heavy losses in the west wiped
out the entire capital of the salt syndicate ; for not
only did the banks in Michigan fail, but also in
Indiana and Illinois and the surrounding States. The
State Bank of Indiana was the only bank that stood
up under the financial depression, though the State

302 MERCHANTS IN EXCHANGE STREET

Bank of Illinois had an existence, -with large discounts
on its money.

As the men who composed this salt syndicate of
Salina were stockholders and directors in the Onondaga
County Bank, the Bank of Salina and the Bank of
Syracuse, the failure of this salt syndicate came near
causing the failure -of these earliest three banks.
Thomas G. Alvord, acting as attorney for the three
banks, spent the winter of 1841-42 in Lansing, Mich.,
and negotiated with the Legislature of that State for
the purchase of the Pontiac railroad. The State had
loaned a large part of its stocks to build the road,
when the "wildcat" banks collapsed. Mr. Alvord
succeeded in buying the railroad, which had cost
$130,000, for $33,000. The road was then leased to
Gordon Williams, and it was afterwards sold to him.
It might l)e added that Dean Richmond afterwards
went to Buffalo and engaged in the commission
business; and that, like John Wilkinson, he eventually
became a railroad king.

[the NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY!

ASTOR, t ENOX AND
TILDEN fOONDATIONS.

THE STATE SALT BUILDING.— From a recent plidtojiiai^li.

CHAPTER XX

THE SALT INDUSTRY

The old State building, located on the southeastern
corner of North Salina and Exchange streets, and
occupif^d for many years by the Superintendent of the
Onondaga Salt Springs, is by far the most important
landmark in the city of Syracuse ; for it was in that
building the State government exercised parental
control over the salt industry, to which this city owes
its beginning and much of its prosperity and from
which came a revenue that more than paid half the

cost of the whole uudertaking of building the Erie
and Champlain canals.

The building was erected by the State government
in 1828, when Exchange street was opened. The Salt
Superintendent's office was in the extreme corner of
North Salina and Exchange streets, and the Salt
Inspector's office was in the southwestern corner of
the building, opening into North Salina street. The
Oswego Canal Collector had his office directly over
the Superintendent's office, the entrance being in

(yo3) •

304 THE SALT INDUSTRY

Exchange street. There was another office on the
ground floor, to which entrance was had from
Exchange street, and was occupied by the Salt
Inspector, but afterwards by Enos T. Hopping and
Thomas G. Alvord as a law office.

This office was occupied by Mr. Hopping from
1830 till 1840. The partnership extended from 1835
till 1838. Mr. Hopping was appointed Brigadier-
General of Volunteers by President Polk at the
outbreak of the Mexican war. He died in 1844, in
the Camp of Instruction at Mier on the Rio Grande,
and his remains were brought to Salina, where they
were buried with great honor. Mr. Alvord, who
continues in the manufacture of salt and who is widely
known as "Old Salt " for the great services he has
rendered in protecting this industry, became Lieu-
tenant-Governor of this State.

Tlie property on which this building was located
was originally purchased from the State by Elisha
and Dioclesian Alvord in 1807, about the time of the
laying out of Salina by James Geddes. In 1813 the
Alvord brothers made a division of their property,
and this property fell into the possession of Elisha,
father of ex-Lieutenant-Governor Alvord. Mr. Alvord
sold the property, which included the Alvord building,
and extending from what is now the Oswego canal,
along North Salina street, through Exchange street
and half through the next block towards Wolf street.

THE OLD STATE BUILDING 305

to William Clark in 1825. Mr. Clark conducted a
mercantile business in the Alvord building. He sold
to the village of Salina his interest in Exchange street,
when that street was opened in 1828, and sold to the
State, in the same year, the property where the State
building is now located. The building continues in
the possession of the State, bat the Superintendent's
office has been removed to the stone building in North
Salina street, between Willow and Noxon streets.

In the upper part of this building on the third floor
there was a public hall. The celebrated Hunters'
Society, organized in 1836-37 for the purpose of aiding
the "Patriot" war in freeing Canada from Great
Britain and annexing it to the United States, for
which project there was much sympathy in those days,
held its meetings in that hall. About twenty-five or
thirty men from Salina joined in the Canadian rebel-
lion. The commanding officer of the regiment, which
had its beginning in Salina, was General Von Schultz,
and he was assisted by Colonel Martin Woodruff and
Captain Stephen Bulkley. The regiment proceeded
to Ogdensburg by the way of Oswego, crossed over
the St. Lawrence river and occcupied the windmill
just below Prescott as their fort. They were attacked
by the British army and defeated in the celebrated
Windmill battle. The officers were hung at Port
Henry in Kingston. Some of the " Patriot " soldiers
were pardoned, and some ran away and escaped.

306 THE SALT INDUSTRY

The first Superintendent of tlie Onondaga Salt
Springs was William Stevens, whose appointment
dated from June 20, 1797. He remained in office till
his death in 1801, and was succeeded by Asa Danforth,
after whom the vilkige of Danforth was named, who
was in office for five years. He was succeeded, April
8, 1806, by Dr. William Kirkpatrick, the father of
the present William Kirkpatrick, and he continued
in office till 1808, when, for the two following years,
he became a member of the Tenth Congress. Then
for one year each, 1808-10, T. H. Rawson, Nathan
Stewart and John Richardson held the office. Dr.
Kirkpatrick was reappointed Superintendent in 1811,
and continued in office till 1831, an unbroken term of
twenty j^ears.

Then followed Xehemiah H. Earll till 1836; Dr.
Rial Wright, father of the present Chief of Police,
Charles R. Wright, till 1840; Thomas Spencer till
1843; Dr. Rial Wright for a second term till 1845;
Enoch Marks till 1848; Robert Gere, father-in-law
of Congressman James J. Belden, till 1852; Hervey
Rhoades till 1855. Vivus W. Smith, the father of
ex-Postmaster Carroll E. Smith, was made Superin-
tendent in 1855, and continued as such to and including
the year 1864.

It was during this period, in 1862, that the greatest
yield was had from the salt springs in any one year
in their history, the amount being 9,053,874 bushels.

THE SALT SUPERIXTEXDEXTS o07

• It was also during this period that the superintendent's
office was removed to its present location. George
Geddes, son of James Geddes, after whom the village
of Geddes was named, was the next Superintendent,
continuing in office till 1871. Then came John M.
Strong, the present Canal Collector, till 1874; Archi-
bald C. Powell, with a temporary four months' occu-
pancy by Calvin G. Hinckley, till 18S0; N. Stanton
Gere, the son of Robert Gere, till 1883. The present
incumbent, Peter J. Brumelkamp, was appointed
Superintendent in 1883.

Prior to 1797, the year in which the first Superin-
tendent was appointed, when the manufacture of salt
had reached 25,000 bushels, each person was a squatter,
planting his kettles at the place most convenient to
the shallow hole from which he first dipped, and
afterwards pumped by hand, his salt water. From
the very beginning of the use of salt water there had
been local strife and contention about " prior rights."
In order to settle these disputes, and at the same time
to encourage and promote the manufacture of salt at
the Onondaga Salt Sj^rings, the first known sources
of salt in the United States away from the sea coast,
the State government created the office of Salt Super-
intendent.

The salt springs, known as the Onondaga Salt
Springs Reservation, were purchased by the State from
the Onondaga Indians by the treaties of 1778 and 1795.

308 THE SALT INDUSTRY

This reservation includes the greater part of the
present city of Syracuse ;' and of this large amount of
land, comprising about 10,000 acres, almost all of
which, excepting what is used in the manufacture of
salt, has been sold to individuals, the State continues
to reserve the right to any salt well which may be
found on the premises.

In the early days of the salt industry, and for
many years thereafter, the pioneers, however hardy
and venturesome, were deterred from settling at ' ' Salt
Point " — the name by which Salina has always been
known — in consequence of the low, wet, marshy lands,
where the salt water was found, which were the hot
beds of the most deadly miasmatic diseases. To each
man brave enough to settle at " Salt Point," the State
government gave for a term of years a salt lot, a store
and house lot, a seven acre pasture lot and a fifteen acre
marsh lot ; and the manufacturer of salt was allowed
to cut his wood from any part of the dense forests on
the Reservation.

Most of the early settlers came from Connecticut ;
and they were either themselves soldiers of the Revo-
lution or the sons of Revolutionary sires. They were
as a rule, men of small means, unable to seek a market
far from home. In return for the salt, they received
from the farmers all kinds of farm produce. In this
way almost every salt manufacturer became a country
merchant. Free street, and afterwards Exchange

THE EARLY MAKING OF SALT 309

street, where almost all the stores were located, would
become filled with farmer's sleighs ; and the village
of Salina would frequently contain more strangers
than the taverns and private houses could well
accommodate.

On account of the marshy grounds and the poor
roads through the forests, transportation was mostly
confined to the winter months, when the snow would
allow of better traveling. But gradually, as the forests
became cleared and better roads were made, the trade
of the merchants extended also into the summer
months. As the salt industry increased and became
more prosperous, the natural water-ways through the
inland lakes and the numerous rivers afi^orded the
venturesome trader an excellent means of transporta-
tion in batteaux and river boats. As early as 1799,
salt was sold by Elisha Alvord in Detroit, while the
stockaded town was still in possession of the British.

The canal with its enlarged and greater reach of
territory, causing many thriving towns to grow up in
the wilderness, greatly benefitted the " Salt Pointers,"
who became rich merchants and built for themselves
beautiful homes on the fine elevated lands in Salina.
And now that the low lands have been improved by
drainage and cultivation, Salina will compare favor-
ably, as a healthy location, with any other portion of
the State. Then came the railroad, built shortly
before the civil war, which has superseded the canal

310 THE SALT INDUSTRY

and batteaiix, as they superseded tlie wagon and
sleigh; and to-day three-fourths of all salt sent to
market goes by rail.

The Salina steam pump house receives the brine
from the DeWolf and Marsh groups, and forces it up
into the tower, whence the brine is distributed to the
various manufacturers of fine and coarse salt. The
first settlers obtained the salt water by dipping it
from shallow pits. As the demand for salt increased,
the pits were made larger and deeper, and the pump
took the place of the dipper and the pail. A well,
curbed with wood, was built nearly opposite this State
i:)ump house, just across the side-cut canal ; and it was
fourteen feet long, ten feet wide and twenty-five feet
deep. The salt boiler would climb a ladder to the
platform, elevated high enough to stand upon and
work with the handle of the pump, adjust his trough
and pump his required supply of salt water; and
returning to his work he would dip the brine from
his reservoir into his kettles. The hand j^ump was
followed by horse power, which has been followed by
steam power. The history of the progress of the
manufacture of salt may be read in the depth and
number of the wells which have been and now are on
the Reservation.

Z^^^:^^-.^ /^

-)//"

CHAPTER XXI

THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

The Ijiograpliical sketch of Joshua Forman, which
appears in " Clark's Onondaga," is here reproduced in
its entirety, since it is probably the most authentic
account of this distinguished man's life and since the
valuable history written by Joshua V. H. Clark has
long since been out of print : — ■— — -

Joshua Forman. — To give anything like a perfect
biographical notice of this distinguished individual,
would require a person more familiar with his public
acts, more intimate with occurrences, which transpired
at the period in which he was most active, and one
who knew better the public worth and private excel-
lence of his character than the author. But as he, for
a period of more than a quarter of a century, was a
leader in the affairs of this county, and became
identified with all the majestic projects of State
policy, we cannot pass him by without an attempt to
do justice to his merits.

Joshua Foriuan was born at Pleasant Valley, in

(311)

312 THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

the county of Diicliess and State of New York, the
6th of September, 1777. His parents were Joseph and
Hannah Forman, who, previous to the Revolution,
resided in the city of New York. Upon the breaking
out of the war and the approach of the British to that
city, Joseph Forman with his family retired to
Pleasant Valley, where the subject of this sketch was
born. At an early age he evinced a strong desire for
learning, in which he was encouraged by his friends.
In the fall of 1793, he entered Union College, at
Schenectady, and in due time graduated with honor.
Directly after his collegiate cause was completed, he
entered the law office of Peter W. Radcliife of Pough-
keepsie, where he remained about two years. He then
went to the city of New York and completed his law
studies in the office of Samuel Miles Hopkins. Soon
after the close of his professional course, he was married
to Miss Margaret Alexander, a daughter of the Hon.
Boyd Alexander, M. P. for Glasgow, Scotland. In the
spring of 1800, Mr. Forman removed to Onondaga
Hollow, and opened a law office on the east side of the
creek, where he began early to manifest his public
spirit and enterprise. At the time he settled at
Onondaga Hollow, the village was mainly situated on
the east side of Onondaga Creek, and he, being desirous
of building up the village and of extending its
boundaries, soon located his father and his brothers,
John, Samuel and Daniel W., near the west end of

LOCATING AT ONONDAGA HOLLOW 313

the present village, on the north and sonth road
passing through the same, and rapidly built up the
western part. This left a space in the middle, com-
paratively unoccupied. Here, Judge Forman soon
after erected a large hotel and afterwards a fine
residence for himself, which was occupied many
years after Judge Forman left the Hollow, by his
brother-in-law, the late William H. Sabin. He was
also mainly instrumental in procuring the location of
the academy, church, and two or three stores in the
same vicinity, before he removed from Onondaga,
thereby connecting the whole into one tolerably
compact settlement.

By his integrity and straightforward course in the
practice of his profession, he soon became distin-
guished as a lawyer, and by his talents and gentle-
manly deportment he became familiarly known
throughout the country.

In 1803, William H. Sabin joined him as a partner
in the practice of law, and for several years they did
an extensive business. The subject of the Erie canal
became a theme of deep interest to several of the
leading men of Onondaga, and to none more so than to
Judge Forman. Conversations were held by those who
were friends to the project, and measures were early
taken to bring the great question before the public.
Mr. Forman's talents as a public speaker, and as a man
of influence and character, eminently distinguished

314 THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

liim to be the individual who should be foremost in
moving in the matter. Accordingly in 1807, a union
ticket was got up, headed by John McWhorter,
Democrat ; and Joshua Forman, Federalist. This
ticket was carried with trifling opposition. It was
headed " Ciinal Ticket," and as such received the
cordial support of a large majority of the electors of
Onondaga county.

As was anticipated by the friends of Judge Forman
and the great work which he was designated to advo-
cate, he brought forward the ever memorable resolu-
tion in the House of Assembly, which alone would
render his name immortal, directing a survey to be
made " of the most eligible and direct route of a canal,
to open a communication between the tide waters of
the Hudson and Lake Erie."

Mr. Forman had studied the subject of canals as
constructed in foreign countries. His mind had been
applied intently to their construction, utility and cost,
and these labors had been brought to bear and have
weight upon the subject now under investigation. He
had well considered all the advantages that would
accrue to the United States and the State of New York,
if this important work should be completed. He had
prepared an estimate of the cost of construction based
upon statistics of the Languedoc canal.

While discussing this subject in Albany, during
the session. Judge Wright and General McNeill, of

FIRST LEGISLATIVE ACTION 315

Oneida, became converts to the plan tlirougli the
instrumentality of Judge Forman ; and Judge Wright
agreed to second the resolution about to be offered
whenever it should be brought up. Judge Forman
had no confidence that the general government would
assist New York in the construction of a canal, but
the resolution framed and offered by him was so
worded as to give President Jefferson an opportunity
to participate in the measure if he would. Fired with
the novelty and importance of this project, and some-
what piqued at the manner of its reception by the
members of the House, the advocate took pains to
prepare himself thoroughly upon the subject, and
when the resolution was called up, he addressed the
House in a forcible and eloquent speech in its favor.
Fortunately the resolution was adopted, and for this
he was for years called a "visionary j^rojector," and
was asked a hundred times if he ever expected to ]ive
to see his canal completed ; to which he uniformly
answered, that "as surely as he lived to the ordinary
age of man, he did ; that it might take ten years to
prepare the public mind for the undertaking, and as
many more to accomplish it, nevertheless it would be
done."

Had not Joshua Forman brought forward the
subject as he did, it is not easy to conceive who would
have had the moral courage to meet the ridicule, of
proposing in earnest, what was considered so wild a

316 THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

measure. Had it not been for this timely movement,
the subject might have lain idle for years, so far as
Legislative action was concerned. But by it, the ice
was broken, and an impetus given to a direct canal, by
the discoveries made under it, and to Joshua Forman
must ever be accorded the high consideration, as the
first legislative projector of the greatest improvement
of the age.

During all the times of darkness, discouragement
and doubt, he boldly stood forth the unflinching
champion of its feasibility, utility and worth, till the
day of its completion.

On the occasion of the grand canal celebration, first
of November, 1825, Judge Forman was selected by the
citizens of Onondaga county, and as President of the
village of Syracuse, to address Governor Clinton and
suite, on their first passage down the canal accompa-
nied by various county committees along the line. He
had but three hours to jDrepare his address, and it
thus appears in the Syracuse Gazette of November 2,
1825 :—

" Gentlemen : The roar of cannon rolling from Lake
Erie to the ocean, and reverberated from the ocean to
the lakes, has announced the completion of the Erie
Canal, and you are this day witnessed, bearing the
waters of the lakes on the unbroken bosom of the
canal, to be mingled with the ocean that the splendid
hopes of our State are realized. The continued fete

GRAND CANAL CELEBRATION 317

which has attended your boats, evinces how dear it
was to the hearts of our citizens. It is truly a proud
day for the State of New York. No one is present
who has the interest of the State at heart, who does
not exult at the completion of a work fraught with such
important benefits, and no man with an American
heart, that does not swell with pride that he is a
citizen of the country which has accomplished the
greatest work of the age, and which has filled Europe
with admiration of the American character.

" On the Fourth of July, 1817, it was begun, and it
is now accomplished. Not by the labor of abject
slaves and vassals, but by the energies of freemen,
and in a period unprecedently short, by the voluntary
efforts of its freemen, governed by the wisdom of its
statesmen. This, however, is but one of the many
benefits derived from our free institutions, and which
marks a new era in the history of man — the example
of a nation whose whole physical power and intelli-
gence are employed to advance the improvement,
comfort and happiness of the people. To what extent
this course of improvement may be carried, it is
impossible for any mere man to conjecture ; but no
reasonable man can doubt that it will continue its
progress, until our wide and fertile territory shall be
filled with a more dense, intelligent and happy people
than the sun shines ujjon in the whole circuit of the
globe. It has long been the subject of fearful appre-
hension, to the patriots of the Atlantic States, that the

318 THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

remote interior situation ui our western C(juntry (for
want of proper stimuli to industr}^ and free intercourse
with the rest of the workl) wouhi be filled with a semi-
barbarous population, uncongenial with their Atlantic
neighbors. But the introduction of steamboats on our
lakes and running rivers and canals to connect the
waters which nature has disjoined, (in both which this
State has taken the lead, and its example has now
become general,) have broken down the old barriers of
nature, and promise the wide-spread regions of the
west all the blessings of a sea-board district.

"But Avhile we contemplate the advantages of this
work, as a source of revenue to the. State, and of
wealth and comfort to our citizens, let us never forget
the means b}^ which it has been accomplished; and
after rendering thanks to the All-Wise Dispenser of
events, who has by his own means and for his own
purposes brought about this great work, we would
render our thanks to all citizens and statesmen, who
have in and out of the Legislature sustained the
measure from its first conception to its present final
consummation. To the commissioners who superin-
tended the work, the board of native engineers, (a
native treasure unknown till called for bj' the occa-
sion,) and especially to his Excellency, the Governor,
whose earl 3^ and decided support of the measure, fear-
lessly throwing his character and influence into the
scale, turned the poising beam and produced the first

GOVERNOR CLINTON AND SUITE 319

canal appropriation, and by liis talents and exertions
kept public opinion steady to the point. Without his
efforts in that crisis, the canal project might still have
been a splendid vision — gazed upon by the benevolent
patriot, but left by cold calumniators to be realized
])y some future generation. At that time, all admitted
that there was a Idgh responsibility resting on you,
and had it failed, you must have largely borne the
blame. It has succeeded, and we will not withhold
from you your due meed of praise.

"Gentlemen, in behalf of the citizens of Syracuse,
and the county of Onondaga, here assembled, I con-
gratulate you on this occasion. Our village is the
offspring of the canal, and with the couijty must
partake largely of its blessings. We were most un-
grateful if we did ncjt most cordially join in this great
State celebration."

Judge Forman having concluded his address,
Governor Clinton replied in a very happy and appro-
priate manner; in tlie course of which he adverted
to the important views presented in the address, and
observed that they were such as he had expected from
an individual who had introduced the first legislative
measures relative to the canals, and had devoted
much thought and reflection to the subject. His
Excellency also adverted to the prosperous condition
of Syracuse, and of the county, and concluded by
expressing his congratulations on the final accomplish-
ment of this great work.

320 THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

As one of the committee from Syracuse, Judge
Forman attended the ceremony of mingling the waters
of Lake Erie with those of the Ocean, off Sandy
Hook. He had now passed through all the stages in
the progress of the great work, from its first
announcement in the legislature to its final consum-
mation in uniting the waters of Lake Erie with the
Atlantic Ocean. His efforts in this great undertaking
will ever be an enduring monument of his wisdom,
and to future generations will his fame extend.

It is not to be supposed that Judge Forman had
employed all his time and talents upon this single
object. As a lawyer, he became distinguished ; and,
on account of his integrity and legal acquirements,
was appointed First Judge of Onondaga County
Common Pleas in 1813. He filled the station with
credit and ability for ten years ; in fact, he elevated
the character of this tribunal to the pitch which gained
for it the high reputation which it has since enjoyed.
He took an early and active interest in the estab-
lishment of churches in this county. "The First
Onondaga Religious Society," at Onondaga Hill, in
1806, and the "Onondaga Hollow Religious Society,"
in 1809, owe their early organization mainly to his
efforts. The Onondaga Academy, founded in 1814,
owes its existence to the interest he manifested in the
cause of education and to his fostering care. He was
also one of the most active in promoting the organi-

HIS PUBLIC SERVICES 321

zatiou of the First Presbyterian Society in Syracuse,
in 1824, and was one of its first Trustees.

In 1807 lie took a lease of the Surveyor-General for
a term of years, of a part of the reservation lands at
Oswego Falls, for the purpose of erecting a grist mill
m that wilderness country, at which time not a house
was owned by an inhabitant between Salina and
Oswego. This was the first mill erected on the Oswego
river in modern times, and it greatly facilitated the
settlement of that region.

In 1808, he founded the celebrated Plaster com-
pany of Camillus, for the purpose of more effectually
working the extensive beds in that town. In 1813,
Judge Forman built the canal and excavated ground
for the pond at Onondaga Hollow, where he erected
a grist mill, which was then considered one of the best
in the country.

In 1817, while there was yet a strong opposition to
the Erie Canal, and its friends were in the greatest
anxiety, and even doubt as to the final result.
Judge Forman furnished a series of articles, which
were published in the Onondaga Register^ signed X,
in defense of the work. These papers were written
with great ability, and are said by competent judges
to be inferior to none that had been written upon that
subj ect.

In 1821, Judge Forman obtained the passage of a
law, (drawn by his own hand,) authorizing the lower-
ing of Onondaga lake, and subsequently the lake was

322 THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

lowered about two feet. The great difficulty liad been
caused by the high water in 'the Seneca river, rising to
a certain height, which obstructed the channel of the
Onondaga outlet ; and such was the nature of the
obstructions, arising from the narrowness and crook-
edness of the passage, tliat when the Seneca river
subsided to its proper limits, the water of Onondaga
lake was retained, and in rainy seasons did not fall so
as to make dry ground around it till late in summer,
which was the cause of much inconvenience to the
people living in the vicinity of the lake. To obviate
this, the lake was lowered, and by it the lands around
Salina and Syracuse were improved, leaving bare a
beach about the lake, in some places of several rods in
width. Foi- the cause of philanthrophy and humanity
this was a most important measure. The country
around became more healthful, and although jDrevi-
ously infested with a fatal miasma in August and
September, from that time to this, the country about
Syracuse and Salina, has been considered as healthy as
any other section in the State.

In 1822, Judge Forman procured the passage of a
law authorizing the erection of fixtures for the purpose
of manufacturing coarse salt by solar evaporation,
with a three-cent per bushel bounty on salt so manu-
factured, for a given number of years. He went to
New Bedford in company with Isaiah Townsend, to
make inquiries relative to solar evaporation of salt

MANUFACTURING COARSE SALT 323

water, from persons interested in this mode of
manufacturing salt from sea- water on Cape Cod. They
engaged Stephen Smith to come on to Syracuse with
them to manage the salt fields, he having had experi-
ence in this mode of manufacture. Mr. Smith was
appointed agent of the Onondaga company, and
Judge Forman of the Syracuse company, and these
two proceeded to make the necessary erections for the
manufacture of coarse salt.

At this time the Salina canal terminated at the
mill on the southern border of the village of Salina,
and there was no water to be had, available for
purposes of carrying machinery in the immediate
vicinity of the principal salt spring. With a view of
accomjDlishing this object, Judge Forman accompanied
Governor Clinton to Salina, pointed out ths ground,
and proposed to have the Salina canal extended so as
to communicate with Onondaga lake ; and the follow-
ing year this plan was carried out, the canal was
continued to the lake, and arrangements made for the
erection of pump works. This grand improvement in
the elevation of brine, was made at the exj)ense of the
Syracuse and Onondaga Salt companies, under the
direction of Judge Forman. Afterwards the State
bought the fixtures, aqueducts, etc., as they had
reserved the right to do. To no individual so much
as to Judge Forman are we indebted for a modification
of our salt laws, and for the substitution of water

324 THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

power, for liaiid labor, in the elevation of brine, for
the reservoirs, and all the apparatus connected with
those imi^rovements, and for the introduction of the
manufacture of coarse salt by solar heat. These were
measures in which the public were deeply interested,
which particularly absorbed his attention, and which
have greatly improved and increased the manufacture
of salt in the town of Salina.

Judge Forman was emphatically the founder of the
city of Syracuse. He came to this place when there
was but a small clearing south of the canal, and lived
in a house which stood in the centre of Clinton street ;
since' removed. When he came to Syracuse, it was
deemed a doubtful and hazardous enterprise. His
friends earnestly desired him to withdraw. But at no
time did his courage, energy or faith fail him. He
foresaw and insisted that it must eventually become a
great and flourishing inland town, and in spite of
much determined opposition, and amidst a variety of
obstacles and almost every species of embarrassment,
he persisted in his efforts, till he had laid broad and
deep the foundations of this flourishing city.

The most prominent obstacles were found in the
rival villages in the vicinity, which were likely to be
affected by the building up of a larger one in their
midst, and in the extensive swamps and marshes which
everywhere in this region prevailed, and in the conse-
quent unhealthiness of the locality.

THE SAFETY FUND ACT 325

His work being accomplished, circumstances re-
quired Ms removal from this scene of his usefulness,
and the theatre of his labors. In 1826, he removed to
New Jersey, near New Brunswick, where he superin-
tended the opening and working of a copper mine,
which had been wrought to some extent prior to and
during the Revolution. Soon after his departure from
Syracuse, the State of New York became sadly con-
vulsed and deranged in its financial affairs. Our
banking system was extremely defective — reform was
demanded by an abused and outraged community. All
saw and admitted the evil, but no one was prepared
with a remedy. At this crisis. Judge Forman came
forward with a plan for relief, and upon the invitation
of Governor VanBuren he visited Albany, and sub-
mitted his plan to a Committee of the Legislature
then in session. At the suggestion of the Governor,
he drew up the bill which subsequently became a law,
and is known as the Safety Fund Act, the great objects
of which were, on the one hand, to give currency and
character to our circulation, and on the other, to
protect the bill-holder. At the special request of
Governor Van Buren, Judge Forman spent most of
the winter in attendance in the Legislature, in perfect-
ing the details of this important act.

This plan operated well for many years, and the
Safety Fund banks of this State sustained themselves
under some of the severest and heaviest revulsions

3-2G THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

wliich the monied institutionsof the country have ever
experienced. And it may be safely afhrmed that no
system in practice on this side the Athmtic has better
stood the test of exj^erience, or secured so extensively
the popular confidence as this. The Safety Fund sys-
tem was exclusively the plan of Judge Forman, and
although modifications have since been made, and
others projected, in our banking laws, it may be ques-
tioned whether the system has been materially im-
proved.

In 1829-30, Judge Forman bought of the govern-
ment of the State of Xorth Carolina an extensive tract
of land, consisting of some three hundred thousand
acres, in Rutherf ordton county. He took up his resi-
dence at the village of Rutherf ordton, greatly extended
its boundaries, established a newsj^aper press, and was
considered the most enterprising individual in that
part of the State; became quite distinguished as a
public man, and noted for his exertions to elevate the
character, and improve the mental and moral condi-
tion of the inhabitants in that region.

In 1831, after an absence of about five years. Judge
Forman visited Onondaga. He was everywhere re-
ceived with unqualified demonstrations of joy and
respect, and every voice cheered him as the founder
of a city and a benefactor of mankind. The citizens
of Syracuse, through their committee appointed for
that purpose, consisting of Stephen Smith, Harvey

A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT 32T

Baldwin, Amos P. Granger, L. H. Redfield, Henry
ISTewton, John Wilkinson and Moses D. Burnet, availed
themselves of the opportunity to present to him a
valuable piece of silver plate as a tribute of the high
respect and esteem which was entertained for his
talents and character, and in consideration of his
devotedness to their interests in the early settlement
of the village. The plate is in the form of a pitcher,
and bears this inscription: " A tribute of respect, pre-
sented by the citizens of Syracuse to the Honorable
Joshua Forman, founder of that village. Syracuse,
1831."

At the ceremony of presenting the plate, mutual
addresses were delivered; on the one hand, highly
expressive of the affection and regard of a whole com-
munity, to a distinguished individual, who had toiled
and exhausted his more vigorous energies for their
welfare ; and on the other, the acknowledgment of past
favors at the hands of his fellow-citizens and coadju-
tors, thankful that he had been the humble instrument
of contributing to their prosperity, hoping that the
bright visions of the future importance of Syracuse,
which he had so long entertained, might be realized,
he bade her citizens an affectionate farewell.

On his return to his home in North Carolina,

Judge Forman took with him this token of the grati-

" tude of his fellow-citizens, and it remained with him

till the year 1845, when he presented it to his daughter.

328 THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

the lady of General E. W. Leaveiiwortli, of Syracuse,
then on a visit to her father who was in feeble health,
remarking, that it constituted a part of the history of
Syracuse, and that after his death there it should
remain.

While his health permitted, Judge Forman's busi-
ness was principally that of making sales of the lands
he had purchased in North Carolina.

In 184(3, this venerable man re-visited his former
friends and acquaintances of his earlier years, and
found in each full heart an honest welcome. To all it
was apparent that the advances of time had made sad
inroads upon his physical and mental powers. Seventy
winters had shed their snows upon his devoted head.
He had heard much of the growth and prosperity of
his cherished city, and of his beloved Onondaga. He
had fixed his heart upon again treading the soil of his
revered county. He had earnestly desired to return
to the land of his fathers before his course on earth
should be closed, to witness the result of those won-
derful improvements in the accomplishment of which
he had taken so deep an interest and so active a part,
and to see the fulfillment of those predictions which
had sometimes acquired for him the name of a vision-
ary projector and enthusiast, and once again for the
last time to behold in the body the few survi^dng
friends of his earlier years. He could not bid adieu
to the world in peace, till this last and greatest of his
earthly wishes should be gratified.

LAST VISIT TO SYRACUSE 329

On tills occasion a public dinner was tendered to Mm.
by P. N. Rust of the Syracuse House. A large num-
ber of the most distinguished gentlemen of the county
were present, together with the few gray-headed
pioneers, who still lingered in the land. Nearly all the
company were the personal friends of Judge Forman,
many of them having been sharers or attentive observ-
ers of his early and patriotic public efforts, for the
social, mental and moral improvement of this county.
Few indeed are the instances, where an individual,
mantled in the hoary locks of age, after an absence of
twenty years, returns to the scenes of his primitive
usefulness, with so many demonstrations, on the part
of friends and former neighbors, of joy and thankful-
ness, as in the one before us. It was also a season of
peculiar gratification to him. Here he beheld the
results of his labors in early active manhood. Here
he beheld the progress of a thriving town founded by
his fostering hand. Here he received the warm greet-
ings of the friends of his early life, and here he met
with them, to bid them a kind, affectionate and last
adieu.

Moses D. Burnet presided on this very interesting
occasion. A formal address of congratulation, on
account of the great success of his early labors, and
the remarkable fulfillment of his hopes and predic-
tions, was made by the Hon. Harvey Baldwin, which
was replied to, in behalf of Judge Forman, (he being

330 THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

unable to articulate distinctly, on account of a paralitic
shock,) by his son-in-law, E. W. Leavenworth.

General Amos P. Granger, Hon. George Geddes,
Lewis H. Redfield, and several other gentlemen of
note, addressed the party in a very felicitous manner.

The proceedings of this very interesting meeting
may be found in the Onondaga Democrat of the 3rd
of October, 184G, and other city papers of that date.

From Syracuse, Judge Forman retired to his moun-
tain home, in the milder climes of the sunny South,
carrying with him the most vivid recollections of the
kindness and hospitality of his friends ; looking back
upon a well spent life, much of which was devoted to
the service of his country, without regret ; and forward,
without a fear to the hour when he will be called
away from the scenes of society and earth.

Judge Forman is still living, (1849,) at his home in
North Carolina, ha\4ng bid adieu to the cares and
business occupations of life.

The character of this distinguished man may be
summed up in a very few words. His mind was of no
ordinary cast, and whether we view him as a fellow-
citizen, a neighbor, a legislator, a jurist, a judge, or as
a man, we find nothing that we cannot respect and
admire. Full of life and energy himself, he infused
with uncommon facility the same spirit into others,
and wherever he was found, in him was the master
spirit of every plan. He possessed a mind of uncom-

HIS CHARACTER 331

mon activity, never wearying with the multiplicity of
his labors and cares ; it was stored with an unusual
variety of knowledge, extending far beyond the
boundaries of his professional pursuits, and he pos-
sessed a rare felicity in the communication of this
knowledge to others. This fund of solid and general
information, upon every variety of topic, and his
forcible and happy manner of communication, joined
with the most social and cheerful disposition, rendered
him on all occasions a most agreeable and interesting-
gentleman in conversation, and the delight of every
circle in which he moved. He greatly excelled in the
clear perceptions of the results of proposed measures
of public improvement, and in a capacity to present
them forcibly to others, carrying along with him
individuals, communities and public assemblies, by
his easy flowing language, and a manner at once most
clear, captivating and persuasive. His whole life was
characterized by the most public spirited efforts for
the general good, and the most disinterested benevo-
lence,— always comparatively forgetful of his own
private interest, in his zeal for the accomplishment of
works of public utility. Through the long period of
his stirring and eventful life, he sustained a character
without stain and without reproach, and now standing
on the borders of the grave, is most justly entitled to
the admiration and gratitude of his countrymen.
It was the happiness of the author, in his youthful

332 THE FOUNDER OF SYRACUSE

days, to spend several months in the family of Judge
Forman, at Onondaga Hollow, and he takes pleasure
in this opportunity of testifying to liis domestic virtues
and private worth.

[The remains of Joshua Forman were removed
from Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and placed in
Oakwood cemetery in Syracuse. The records kept at
this cemetery show that these remains were placed in
the lot of General Elias W. Leavenworth, May — 1875.
General Leavenworth's first wife was Miss Mary E.
Forman, daughter of Judge Forman. This lot is a
beautiful one, finely located, and the grave is marked
by a handsome marble slab. On the monument, about
which there is a stone canopy, there is written this
ijiscription : " Joshua Forman. Founder of the city
of Syracuse, Author of the Safety Fund Banking law
of this State, the first person who offered a resolution
in the Legislature and procured an appropriation for
the construction of the Erie canal. He was born at
Pleasant Valley, in the county of Duchess, N. Y., on
the 6th day of September, 1777, and died at Ruther-
fordton, N. C, on the ith day of August, 1849."]

CHAPTER XXII

THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

The legend of Hiawatha, which gives the traditional
account of the confederacy of the Iroquois Indians,
the most powerful of all the Indian nations in the
United States, has become of great importance,
especially to the citizens of Syracuse and Onondaga
county, where the legend originated, because Long-
fellow has immortalized it in his beautiful "Song of
Hiawatha." Longfellow gave credit to Mr. School-
craft for this Indian tradition; and he adds: "The
scene of the poem is among the Ojibways on the
southern shore of Lake Superior, in the region between
the Pictured Rocks and the Grand Sable." Of course,
Longfellow, as a poet, could locate the scene of his
poem wherever his fancy lead him ; but Schoolcraft,
as an historian, properly located the scene on the
banks of Onondaga lake. Schoolcraft called his
legend: " Hiawatha, or the Origin of the Onondaga
Council-Fire, an Iroquois Tradition ; " and he states
that his information was "derived from the verbal

(333)

334 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

narrations of the late Abraham LeFort, an Onondaga
Chief, who was a graduate, it is believed, of Geneva
college."

The Rev. William M. Beauchamp of Baldwinsville,
New York, justly regarded as good authority on the
history of the Iroquois Indians, in an article published
in the Journal of American Folk- Lore, in 1891, says:
" In any form the tale has been known to the whites
less than fifty years, and the Onondaga version first
had publicity through Mr. J. V. H. Clark, in a
communication to the New York Commercial Adver-
tiser. He obtained it from two Onondaga chiefs.
Schoolcraft used these notes before they were included
in Clark's history, and afterwards appropriated the
name for his Western Indian legends, where it had no
proper place. About the same time, Mr. Alfred B.
Street had a few original notes from other Iroquois
sources which he used in his metrical romance of
" Frontenac," along with some from Schoolcraft.
Thus, when Longfellow's "Hiawatha" appeared, I
was prejjared to greet an old friend, and surprised at
being introduced to an Ojibway instead of an Iroquois
leader. The change, however, gave a broader field
for his beautiful poem, a gain to all readers, but as he
retained little beyond the name it may be needless to
refer to that charming work.

"Viewed philosophically, all the legends of
Hiawatha may have been useful to the Iroquois, as

AN ONONDAGA TRADITION 335

harmonizing with, and strengthening the best features
of their character in recent days. As a divine man,
coming to earth expressly to relieve human distress,
he presented a strong contrast to Agreskoue, in honor
of whom they feasted on human flesh, when first
known to the whites. Had such a tradition existed,
however, when the French missionaries entered their
land, it would have been produced to show that their
teaching was nothing new. As a mere man, suffering
injuries patiently, steadily keeping in view one great
and beneficient purpose, not only forgiving but
bringing to high honor the man who had injured him
most, he also taught an important lesson, but this
was learned from no Indian sage. This ideal came
from those white men who spoke of a better life."

From " Clark's Onondaga," it is learned that these
distinguished Indian nations were called by the French
" Iroquois," by the English " The Confederates " or
"Five Nations," by the Dutch "Maquas," and by
themselves "Mingoes;" meaning by all "United
People." Their territory proper, extended from
Hudson's river on the east to the Niagara on the
west ; from lake Ontario on the north to the Allegha-
nies on the south. When it was that these five Indian
nations, composed of the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onon-
dagas, Cayugas and Senecas, formed their famous
confederacy is a matter of conjecture. The Onondagas
were considered the third nation. They became, from

336 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

their central position and numbers, their strength of
mind, skill in diplomacy and warlike bearing, the head
or leading nation of the confederates. The grand
council-fire of the union was usually kept with them.
They kept the key of the great council house of the
Five Nations ; the Mohawks holding the door on the
east, as did the Senecas on the west. No business of
importance, touching the interests of the Five Nations,
was transacted elsewhere but at Onondaga. This
nation is divided into eight several tribes or clans,
called by themselves, the Wolf, the Bear, the Beaver
and the Tortoise. These are called superior clans, and
from these may be selected the chiefs of the nation.
The inferior clans are the Deer, the Eagle, the Heron
and the Eel; from which civil chiefs may not be
elected. Individuals belonging to these latter clans
are not considered eligible to office. Though there
formerly were instances where, by great individual
merit as warriors, they have occasionally been selected
as war chiefs; considered the lowest class of officers
known to their laws. Among the Onondagas the line
of descent is emphatically in the female branch of the
family. The inference to be drawn from this is that
the son is certainly derived from the mother, but may
not be from whom he acknowledges as father.

In referring to the Iroquois confederacy, Mr.
Beauchamp says : " The true date was probably about
A. D, IGOO." The account of this Hiawatha legend.

THE ORIGINAL LEGEND 337

as given by Joshua V. H. Clark, iu "Clark's Onon-
daga " is as follows : —

At what period or for what purpose this league was
originally formed, is a matter wholly speculative, as
the records of history and Indian tradition are alike
uncertain, and throw but feeble light upon the sub-
ject. It is supposed, however, that anciently they
were" separate and independent nations ; and probably
warred with an equal relish upon each other as upon
their neighbors, and perhaps finally united themselves
for purposes of greater strength and security, thereby
enlarging their power and importance at home,
enabling them to prosecute more vigorously their
conquests abroad. Common danger or a desire for
conquest were the motives, rather than a far-seeing
policy, which must have actuated these people to form
a league of consolidation.

By some authors, the time of the formation of the
great league of confederation was about the life of one
man before the Dutch landed at New York. By
others, about an hundred years before that period.
Webster, the Onondaga interpreter, and good author-
ity, states it at about two generations before the white
people came to trade with the Indians. But from the
permanency of their institutions, the peculiar struc-
ture of their government, the intricacy of their civil
affairs, the stability of their religious beliefs and the
uniformity of their pagan ceremonies, differing from

3o8 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

other ludiau nations in important particulars, we are
inclined to tlie opinion that their federative existence
must have had a much longer duration. And from
the following tradition, we are inclined to the opinion
that the period is unknown, and the time lost in the
clouded uncertainties of the past.

Hundreds of years ago, Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, the
Deity who presides over fisheries and streams, came
down from his dwelling place in the clouds to visit
the inhabitants of the earth. He had been deputed
by the Great and Good Spirit Xa-wah-ne-u, to visit
the streams and clear the channels from all obstruc-
tions, to seek out the good things of the country
through which he intended to pass, that they might
be more generally dissiminated among all the good
people of the earth, especially to j^oint out to them the
most excellent fishing grounds, and to bestow upon
them other acceptable gifts. About this time, two
young men of the Onondaga Nation were listlesslj^
gazing over the calm blue waters of the " Lake of a
Thousand Isles." During their revery, they espied,
as they thought, far in the distance, a single white
speck, beautifully dancing over the bright blue waters
— and while they watched the object with the most
intense anxiety, it seemed to increase in magnitude,
and moved as if aj^proaching the place where they
were concealed, most anxiously awaiting the event of
the visitation of so singular an object; for at this time

THE WHITE CANOE

no canoes had ever made their appearance in the
direction whence this was approaching.

As the object neared the shore, it proved in sem-
blance to be a venerable looking man, calmly seated
in a canoe of pure white, very curiously constructed,
and much more ingeniously wrought than thpse in use
among the tribes of the country. Like a cygnet upon
the wide blue sea, so sat the canoe of Ta-oun-ya-wat-
ha upon the " Lake of a Thousand Isles." As the frail
branch drifts towards the rushing cataract, so coursed
the white canoe over the rippling waters, propelled by
the strong arm of the god of the river. Deep thought
sat upon the brow of the gray-haired mariner; pene-
tration marked his eye, and deep, dark mystery per-
vaded his countenance. With a single oar he silently
paddled his light-trimmed bark along the shore, as if
seeking a commodious haven for rest. He soon turned
the prow of his fragile vessel into the estuary of the
"double river," and made fast to the western shore.
He majestically ascended the steep bank, nor stopped
till he had gained the loftiest summit of the western
hill. Then silently gazing around as if to examine
the country, he became enchanted with the view;
when, drawing his stately form to its utmost height,
he exclaimed in accents of the wildest enthusiasm,
Osh-wah-kee ! Osh-wah-kee !

[Mr. Clark adds in a foot note that this word,
Osh-wah-kee, "being interpreted literally, signifies

340 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

from the circumstance here related — ' I see everywhere,
and see nothing.' From this our English name for
the river Oswego is derived."]

During the observations of the spirit man, (for so
he was afterwards called,) the two men who had lain
concealed, cautiously watching all his movements,
discovered themselves. Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha very civilly
approached them, and after the greetings usual at the
first meeting of strangers, very gravely niade inquiries
of them resjDecting their country and its advantages,
of their fisheries and hunting grounds, and of the
impediments in the way of the i)rosperity of the nations
round about. To all of whicli the hunters, (for so
they were,) could give no very favorable answers, but
briefly stated to him the disadvantages they had ever
been doomed to labor under, and the sufferings they
had borne in consequence.

A degree of familiarity and mutual confidence had
by this time become awakened in the bosoms of the
parties, and the greatest freedom of conversation
proceeded without restraint. The hunters provided
for their venerable guest a repast of roast venison, who
received it in thankfulness ; thej^ smoked the calumet
together and were refreshed.

Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha disclosed to the hunters the spir-
ituality of his character and the object of liis mission,
after which he invited them to proceed with him uj)
the river, as he had important business to transact,

DOING GOOD TO MANKIND 341

and should need their services. After a moment's
consultation together, the hunters consented to accom-
pany him, and forthwith joyfully attended him to his
canoe.

Of the events which immediately succeeded, we
have not now time or disposition to speak, only that
many of them were truly marvelous, and worthy a
place only in the pages of Indian Mythology.

From this, Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha ascended all the
lesser lakes and explored their shores, placing all
things in proper order, for the comfort and sustenance
of all good men. He had taught the people of the
various tribes the art of raising corn and beans, which
had not before been cultivated among them. He also
encouraged them to a more faithful observance of the
laws of the Great and Good Spirit. He had made the
fishing grounds free, and opened to all the uninter-
rupted pursuit of game. He had distributed liberally
among mankind the fruits of the earth, and had
removed all obstructions from the navigable streams.

Pleased with the success of his undertakings, the
spirit-man now resolved to lay aside his divine char-
acter, and in after years to make his abode among the
children of men. He accordingly selected for his
residence a beautiful spot on the shore of the Cross
Lake, (Te-ungk-too, as called by the natives). [Lo-
cated near Jordan.] After awhile he totally relin-
quished his divine title of Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha, and in

342 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

all respects assumed the character and habits of a man.
Nevertheless, he was always looked up to as an extra
ordinarj^ individual, as one possessing transcendent
powers of mind and consummate wisdom. The name
Hi-a-wat-ha (signifying very wise man), was spon-
taneously awarded him, by the whole mass of people,
who now resorted to him from all quarters for advice
and instruction. The companions of the spirit-man,
at a subsequent council, were rewarded by a seat in
the councils of their countrymen, and became emin-
ently distinguished for their prowess in war and
dignified bearing in the council room.

After a quiet residence of a few years at his new
location, the country became greatly alarmed by the
sudden approach of a ferocious band of warriors from
north of the great lakes. As they advanced, indis-
criminate slaughter was made of men, women and
children. Many had been slain, and ultimate destruc-
tion seemed to be the consequence, either of bold
resistance, or of a quiet relinquishment of absolute
right.

During this signal agitation of the public mind,
people from all quarters thronged the dwelling place
of Hi-a-wat-ha for advice in this trjdng emergency.
After a deep and thoughtful contemplation of the
momentous subject, he informed the principal chiefs
that his opinion was to call a grand council of all the
tribes that could be gathered from the east and from

THE GREAT COUNCIL-FIRE 343

the west, that the advice of all might be received;
"for," said he, "our safety is in good council and
speedy, energetic action." Accordingly, runners were
dispatched in all directions, notifying the head men of
a grand council to be held on the banks of the lake
Oh-nen-ta-ha. [Onondaga lake.]

This council was supposed to have been held on
the high ground where the village of Liverpool now
stands. In due time the chiefs and warriors from far
and near were assembled with great numbers of men,
women and children to hold this important council,
and to devise means for the general safety. All the
principal men had arrived, except the venerable
Hi-a-wat-ha.

The council-fire had been kindled three days, and
he had not yet arrived. Messengers were dispatched,
who found him in a most melanchol}^ state of mind.
He told them that evil lay in his path ; that he had a
fearful foreboding of ill-fortune, and that he had
concluded not to attend the great council at Oh-nen-
ta-ha. ' ' But, " said the messengers, ' ' we have delayed
the deliberations of the grand council on account of
your absence, and the chiefs have resolved not to
proceed to business until your arrival."

The White Canoe had always been held as a sacred
treasure, and, next to the wise man himself, was
regarded with awe and reverence. It had been
deposited in a lodge, erected especially for its security,

34-1: THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

to which, none but the most worthy and noted of the
chieftains could nave access. Hither on this occasion
Hi-a-wat-ha repaired, and, in the most devout and
humiliating manner, jjoured out his soul in silence to
the Great Spirit. After a protracted absence he
returned with a countenance beaming with confidence
and hope. Being over-persuaded by his friends, he
reluctantly yielded to their earnest solicitations. The
White Canoe was carefully removed from its sacred
resting place, and reverently launched upon the bosom
of the river. The wise man once again took his
accustomed seat, and bade his darling and only
daughter (a girl of some twelve years of age) to
accompany him. She unhesitatingly obeyed, took her
place beside her venerable parent in the devoted vessel,
and directly they made all possible speed to the grand
council ground.

On the approach of the aged and venerable
Hi-a-wat-ha, a general shout of joy resounded through-
out the assembled host, and every demonstration of
respect was paid to this illustrious sage and counsellor.
As he landed and was passing up the steep bank
towards the council ground, a loud sound was heard
like a rushing and mighty wind. All eyes were
instantly turned upwards, and a dark spot was dis-
covered rapidly descending from on high among the
clouds. It grew larger and larger as itneared the earth,
and was descending wit h fearful velocity into their very

AN IMMENSE BIRD 345

midst. Terror and alarm seized every breast, and
every individual seemed anxious only for liis own
safety. The utmost confusion prevailed throughout
the assembled multitude, and all but the venerable
Hi-a-wat-ha sought safety by flight. He gravely
uncovered his silvered head, and besought his daughter
to await the approaching danger with becoming resig-
nation; at the same time reminding her of the great
folly and impropriety of attempting to obstruct or
prevent the designs or wishes of the Great Spirit.
" If," said he, "he has determined our destruction,
we shall not escape by removal, nor evade his
decrees. " She modestly acquiesced in her kind parent's
suggestions and advice, and with the most patient
submission waited the coming event.

All this was but the work of an instant ; for no sooner
had the resolution of the wise man become fixed, and
his last words uttered, than an immense bird, with a
long and pointed beak, with wide-extended wings,
came down with a mighty swoop, and crushed the
beautiful girl to the earth. With such force did the
monster fall, and so great was the commotion of the
air that when it struck the ground, the whole assembly
were forced violently back several rods. Hi-a-wat-ha
alone remained unmoved and silently witnessed the
melancholy catastrophe of his child's dissolution.

His darling daughter had been killed before his
eyes in a marvelous manner, and her destroyer had

34 G THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

perished with her. The dismayed warriors cautiously
advanced to the spot and calmly surveyed the dismal
scene. It was found upon examination that the
animal, in its descent, had completely buried its beak,
head and neck up to its body in the ground. It was
covered with a beautiful plumage of snowy white, and
every warrior, as he advanced, plucked a plume from
this singular bird, with which he adorned his crown;
and from this incident, the braves of the confederate
nations forever after made choice of the plumes of the
white heron as their most appropriate military orna-
ment while upon the war-path.

Upon the removal of the carcass of the monster,
the body of the innocent girl was found to be com-
pletely ground to atoms. Nothing could be seen of
her that would indicate she had ever been a human
being. At this appearance, the bereaved and discon-
solate parent gave himself up to the most poignant
sorrow. Hollow moans and distressing grief told too
plainly the bitterness of his heart. He spurned all
proffers of consolation, and yielded to the keenest
feelings of anguish and unbounded sorrow.

He became an object of perfect despair, and threw
himself down uj)on his face to the earth, dejected and
disconsolate. The shattered fragments of the innocent
girl were carefully gathered together, and interred in
all the tenderness and solemnity of bitter grief. Every-
one seemed to participate in the afflictions of the aged

THE GRIEF OF HIAWATHA 347

and venerable counsellor, and to syini)atliize in liis suf-
ferings and woe. Still, no comfort came to his soul.
He remained in this prostrate situation three whole
days and nights unmoved. The fears of the assembled
chiefs were awakened lest he might become a willing
victim to his own melancholy and misfortune.

ISTothing had been done as yet in the council, and
such had been the causes of delay that many began to
despair of apcomplishing anything of consequence.
Some even thought seriously of returning to their
homes without an effort. At length a few of the
leading chiefs consulted together, as to what course it
was most expedient to pursue. It was at once resolved
that nothing- should be attempted without the voice
of the wise man should be heard. A suitable person
was thereupon dispatched to ascertain whether he
breathed. Report came that he was yet alive. A
kind-hearted, merry chief, named Ho-see-noke, was
directed by the council to make to the prostrate
mourner a comforting speech, to whisper kind words
in his ear, and if possible arouse him from his reverie.

After a deal of formal ceremony and persuasion,
he gradually recovered from his stupor, and conversed.
After several messages had passed between the assem-
bled chiefs and Hi-a-wat-ha, he arose and manifested
a desire for food. He ate and drank of such as was
hastily prepared for him, and acknowledged himself
strengthened and refreshed.

348 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

He was conducted to the presence of the council,
a conspicuous place was assigned him, and all eyes
were turned towards the only man who could with
precision foretell their future destiny. The subject
of the invasion was discussed by several of the ablest
counsellors and boldest warriors. Various schemes
were proposed for the repulsion of the enemy.
Hi-a-wat-ha listened in silence till the speeches of all
were concluded. His opinion was gravely and
earnestly sought by many of the surrounding chiefs.
After a brief reference to the calamity which had
so recently befallen him, the wise man said: " This is
a subject that requires mature reflection and deliber-
ation. It is not fitting- that one of so much importance
should be treated lightly ; or that our decision should
be hasty and inconsiderate. Let us postpone our
deliberations for one day, that we may weigh well the
words of the wise chiefs and warriors who have
spoken. Then I will communicate to you my plan
for consideration. It is one which I am confident will
succeed, and ensure our safety."

After another day's delay, the council again
assembled and all were anxious to hear the words of
Hi-a-wat-ha. A breathless silence ensued, and the
venerable counsellor began :

"Friends and brothers :— You are members of
many tribes and nations. You have come here, many
of you, a great distance from your homes. We have

THE CONFEDERATION 349

convened for one common purposie, to promote one
common interest; and that is to provide for our
mutual safety and how it shall best be accomplished.
To oppose these hordes of northern foes by tribes,
singly and alone, would prove our certain destruction;
we can make no progress in that way ; we must unite
ourselves into one common band of brothers. Our
warriors united, would surely repel these rude invaders
and drive them from our borders. This must be done,
and we shall be safe.

"You — the Mohawks, sitting under the shadow of
the ' Great Tree, ' whose roots sink deep into the earth
and whose branches spread over a vast country, shall
be the first nation; because you are warlike and
mighty.

"And you — Oneidas, a people who recline your
bodies against the ' Everlasting Stone ' that cannot be
moved, shall be the second nation; because you give
wise counsel.

" And you — Onondagas, who have your habitation
at the ' Great Mountain' and are overshadowed by its
crags, shall be the third nation; because you are
greatly gifted in speech and mighty in war.

" And you — Cayugas, a people whose habitation is
the ' Dark Forest ' and whose home is everywhere,
shall be the fourth nation ; because of your superior
cunning in hunting.

" And you — Senecas, a people who live in the ' Open

350 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

Country ' and possess much wisdom, shall he the fifth
nation ; because you understand better the art of rais-
ing corn and beans, and making cabins.

"You, five great and powerful nations, mtist unite
and have but one common interest, and no foe shall
be able to disturb or subdue you.

"And you — Manhattoes, Xyacks, Montauks and
others, who are as the feeble 'Bushes'; and you, Xar-
agansetts, Mohegans, Wampanoags and your neigh-
bors who are a ' Fishing People,' may place yourselves
under our protection. Be with us, and we will defend
you. You of the South, and you of the West, may
do the same, and we will protect you. "We earnestly
desire your alliance and friendship.

"Brothers — If we unite in this bond, the Great
Spirit will smile upon us, and we shall be free, pros-
perous and happy. But if we remain as we are, we
shall be subject to his frown; we shall be enslaved,
ruined, perhaps annihilated forever. We shall perish
and our names be blotted out from among the nations
of men. Brothers : these are the words of Hi-a-wat-ha
— let them sink deep into your hearts — I have said it."

A long silence ensued ; the words of the wise man
had made a deep impression upon the minds of all.
They unanimously declared the subject too weighty
for immediate decision. "Let us." said the brave
warriors and chiefs, "adjourn the council for one day,
and then we will respond." On the morrow, the

THE ASCENSION OF HIAWATHA 351

council again assembled. After due deliberation, the
speech of the wise man was declared to be good and
worthy of adoption.

Immediately upon this was formed the celebrated
Aquinuschioni or Amj)hyctionic league of the great
confederacy of Five Nations, which to this day re-
mains in full force.

After the business of the great council had been
brought to a close, and the assembly were on the eve
of separation, Hi-a-wat-ha arose in a dignified manner,
and said:

" Friends and Brothers : I have now fulfilled my
mission upon earth ; I have done everything which can
be done at present for the good of this great people.
Age, infirmity and distress sit heavy upon me. During
my sojourn with you, I have removed all obstructions
from the streams. Canoes can now pass safely every-
where. I have given you good fishing waters and
good hunting grounds. I have taught you the manner
of cultivating corn and beans, and learned you the art
of making cabins. Many other blessings I have liber-
ally bestowed upon you.

"Lastly, I have now assisted you to form an ever-
lasting league and covenant of strength and friendship
for your future safety and protection. I f you preserve
it, without the admission of other people, you will
always be free, numerous and mighty. If other
nations are admitted to your councils, they will sow

352 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

jealousies among you, and you will become enslaved,
few and feeble. Remember these words ; they are the
last you will hear from the lips of Hi-a-wat-ha. Listen
my friends; the Great-Master-of-Breath calls me to
go. I have patiently waited his summons. I am
ready; farewell."

As the wise man closed his speecli, there burst
upon the ears of the assembled multitude the cheerful
sounds of myriads of the most delightful singing
voices. The whole sky seemed filled with the sweetest
melody of celestial music; and Heaven's high arch
echoed and re-echoed the touching strains, till the
whole vast assembly were completely absorbed in
rapturous ecstacy . Amidst the general confusion which
now prevailed, and while all eyes were turned towards
the etherial regions, Hi-a-wat-ha was seen majestically
seated in his white canoe, gracefully rising higher and
higher above their heads through the air, until he
became entirely lost from the view of the assembled
thronofs, who witnessed his wonderful ascent in mute
and admiring astonishment — while the fascinating
music gradually became more plaintive and low ; and
finally, it sweetly expired in the softest tones upon
their ears, as the wise man Hi-a-wat-ha, and the god-
like Ta-oun-ya-wat-ha retired from their sight, and
quietly entered the mysterious regions inhabited only
by the favorites of the Great and Good Spirit Ha-
wah-ne-u.

T O

JOSHUA V. H. CLARK'S JUST CLAIM 35;

[Mr. Clark adds in a foot note : " Tlie substance of
the foregoing tradition may be found in the ' Notes
on the Iroquois,' pj). 271 to 283. It is but simple
justice to the author of this work to say that the
article in the ' Notes ' was framed from a MS. fur-
nished by the author of this to the Editor of the
Commercial Advertiser of New York, for publication
in that paper."]

Such is the traditionary account of the Onondagas
of the origin of the very ancient and honorable league
first formed by the illustrious Five Nations, given to
the author by the late Captain Frost and La Fort,
head chiefs of the Onondagas, Gth February, 1845.

This tradition, like all others, proves nothing jjosi-
tively, further than that the Iroquois themselves
know little of their own origin, history, or the
antiquity of their most prominent characteristics and
institutions. These being orally transmitted from
generation to generation, and their ininds ever deeply
imbued with superstition, events are magnified to
miracles, distinguished men are deified, and every
circumstance of note is mystified and mingled with
ignorance, barbarism and extravagance.

Longfellow's beautiful poem, "The Song of
Hiawatha," was published in November, 1855. It
attracted great attention, receiving unbounded praise
and severe criticism. The New York Tribune of
November 27, 1855, contained a criticism from T. C.

354: THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

P., of Peunsylvauia, copied from tlie Katioiial Intel-
ligencer of the preceding day, which, called the
reader's attention to the "Kalewala," the great
national epic of tlie Finns. The critic added: "My
object in writing this jjresent brief notice is to call
the attention of the literary public to the astounding
fact that Professor Longfellow, in his new poem,
" Hiawatha," has transferred the entire form, spirit,
and many of the most striking incidents of the old
Finnish epic to the Xortli American Indians. The
resemblance is so close that it cannot be accidental,
and yet the only approach to an acknowledgment
of the source of his inspiration is found in the begin-
ning of his first note, where he says : 'This Indian
Edda, if I may so call it.'"

Mr. Schoolcraft hastened to the defense of Long-
fellow's Hiawatha, and. his letter to the National
Intelligencer, dated Washington, D. C, December 7,
1855, was reproduced in the Xew York Tribune of
December 18, 1855. Mr. Schoolcraft said: "Every
author is responsible for what he utters. This truth
is particularly apposite at this moment in relation to
the Indian oral legends heretofore published by me,
which have recently been quoted by a distinguished
writer. The appearance of a popular American
poem, on American materials, is suited to arouse
literary excitement from the banks of the Aroostook
to the Kio Grande. Xot believing that anything at

CLARK-SCHOOLCRAFT CONTROVERSY 355

all is necessary to vindicate Professor Longfellow's
literary integrity in quoting my Indian legends, any
more than the taste, talent and judgment displayed in
his beautiful, characteristic and truly American
poem of Hiawatha, there is yet something due
from me on the subject from the citations of my
' Algic Researches,' and of the third volume of my
Indian History. No allusion is made to the critical
acumen to which the poem has given birth in the
press. The reference is exclusively to the originality
of the legends quoted by the author of 'Hiawatha,'
and to their veraciousness to the traditions of the
native lore, which I have reported from the North
American wigwams."

The cool, confident manner in which Mr. School-
craft, who was then Agent of the Statistics, etc., of
the Indian tribes of the United States, under the
Department of the Interior at Washington, appro-
priated to himself the credit of being the first to give
an account of the legend of Hiawatha, aroused Mr.
Clark from his generally mild disposition and caused
him to assert his claims to this legend and to bring
Mr. Schoolcraft before the bar of public opinion.

Under date of January 10, 185G, Mr. Clark wrote
the following letter to the New York Tribune : —

"The Song of Hiawatha" has become the subject
of much extravagant praise, and a theme for the
severest criticism. Animadversion has had the effect

356 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

to awakeu a curiosity, and create an excitement that
otherwise would have remained dormant; and the
" Song " has been read by thousands who, but for this
pen-and-ink warfare, would never have looked upon
its pages. By this time it has been dispatched by the
whole reading public, and it has afforded nearly as
much gratification to its traducers as to its admirers.

The legend of Hiawatha was first related to the
writer of this by the Onondaga chiefs. Captain Frost
(Ossahinta), and Abram LaFort (Dehatkatons), in the
summer of 1843. During the winter of ISio-'ii, I
wrote it out in full, and read the paper before the
members of the Maulius Lyceum, and in the month of
March following I repeated the same before a literary
association at the village of Fayetteville, having at
that time not the remotest idea of ever publishing
anything in a permanent form relative to the Onon-
daga Indians.

In March, 1844, I furnished to the New York
Historical Society a paper giving the Indian names to
localities in Onondaga county and vicinity, at the
suggestion of a committee which had been appointed
by the Society to secure so desirable an object. Mr.
Henry R. Schoolcraft, as chairman of the committee,
by letter dated March 12, 1844, acknowledged the
receipt of my communication, with the thanks of the
committee, sajdng further: "Permit us to ask a
continuance of vour researches so far as relates to the

LETTERS FROM SCHOOLCRAFT 357

Onondaga tribe," etc. In my communication to the
committee I intimated that I had in mj' possession
tales and traditions illustrative of Indian character
and history. In a postscript to the letter above referred
to, Mr. Schoolcraft adds: " As I am collecting the
traditions of the Indians, imaginative as well as his-
torical, I should be gratified for any contributions you
may make in this way ; send me a copy of the tradition
of 'Green Pond.'" Upon this I sent him a copy of
the tradition requested, it having been previously
published by me in the New York Commercial Adver-
tiser, at the instance of my friend, the late Col.
William L. Stone, as other pieces of like character
furnished by me had been before. In a letter from
Mr. Schoolcraft, dated April 19, 1844, in answer to
one from me a short time previous, he further says :
" This letter shows you to be too much at home on the
subject of Aboriginal names to allow us to think of
excusing you from further services of this kind,"

In 1845, Mr. Schoolcraft, under the authority and
patronage of the State, visited the several tribes of
Indians in Western New York for the purpose of ascer-
taining their true condition as to property, schools,
resources, manner of living, etc., or in other words, to
take a complete census as far as possible of these
people, and furnish a series of statistics necessary to
form full and comprehensive data, respecting their
circumstances, wants and requirements, as well as

358 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

their advancement in the arts, agriculture and civiza-
tion; and if possible to recover from obscurity-
somewhat of their mysterious history. On that tour
Mr. Schoolcraft, on various occasions, by letters now
in my possession, solicited information from me. (See
also "Notes on the Iroquois," pp. 192, 468.) In a
letter under date of July 24, 1845, after his visit to
Onondaga, he says: "I should feel under many
obligations to you if you would give me some account
from personal observation of the vestiges of ancient
occupancy in your A-icinity," and afterward adds, " I
know of no one who is so well qualified to give it as
yourself."

Now it is a well-known fact that persons acting in
the capacity of official agents among the Indians are
always looked upon by them with suspicion and
distrust. Mr. Schoolcraft most emphatically asserts
as much when he says: " The census movement was
consequently the theme of no small number of sus-
picions and cavils and objections. Without any certain
or generally fixed grounds of objection, it was yet the
object of a fixed but changing opposition." (See
"Notes on the Iroquois," pp. 5, 6.) Mr. Schoolcraft
was looked upon with suspicion by the Onondaga
Indians, and by none more so than by Captain Frost
and Abram La Fort, principal chiefs of the Onondaga
Nation. Hence it became essential to the advancement
of his labors that some one more in the confidence of

NOTES ON THE IROQUOIS 359

the Indians should act in concert with the State Agent,
in order effectually to secure the whole information
desired. Besides, he remarks that "far more time
than was at my command would be required to
cultivate this attractive field of research." (See
" Notes on the Iroquois," p. 192.)

By a reference to the "Notes on the Iroquois,"
anyone may see at a glance that many items received
from me which he considered of value in his researches
were adopted in his official report made to the Legis-
lature, and which were retained in his subsequent
"Notes on the Iroquois," which were considerably
enlarged and improved, though embracing nearly all
of the report. For many of these items the customary
acknowledgments were made ; for others no sign of
recognition was given. The tradition of Hiawatha,
which he had previously received from me through
the editor of the Commercial Advertiser, in manu-
script form, was among this latter number, and it is
inserted as if gleaned by his own laborious research.

Mr. Schoolcraft's report on the subject of the New
York Indians was made to the Legislature in 1846.
His enlarged and improved version, the " Notes on-
the Iroquois," was published in 18-1:7. During the
years 184:G-'47 and '48, a train of accidental, though
urgent circumstances, was thrown around me wliich
eventuated in my bringing out a history of " Onon-
daga " from materials already in my possession, with

3 GO THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

the addition of contributions from sundry individuals
throughout the country. My "Onondaga" was
published in 1849, and my version of the tradition of
Hiawatha is there inserted in volume I. at page 21.
At page 30 is the following note :

"The substance of the foregoing tradition may be
found in the ' Notes on the Iroquois,' pp. 271 to 283.
It is but simple justice to the author of this work to
say that the article in the ' Notes ' was framed from
a manuscript furnished by the author of this to the
editor of the New York Commercial Advertiser^ for
publication in that paper."

I have been thus minute in the foregoing remarks
in order to show substantially the relation that existed
between Mr. Schoolcraft and myself relative to Indian
affairs during his researches among the Indians of
Western New York in the years 1844-'4:5 and '46, and
to show that I had some knowledge of the tradition of
Hiawatha long before Mr. Schoolcraft's visit of
inspection among the New York Indians in 1845.

What I am about to say would not at this late day
be said were it not for the fact that the tradition of
Hiawatha, (notwithstanding the note in Clark's
" Onondaga," vol. I. at page 30,) has been transferred
from the " Notes on the Iroquois " to Mr. Schoolcraft's
larger work entitled, ' ' History, Condition and Pros-
pects of the Indian Tribes in the United States,"
published in 1853, (see page 314, third jDart,) and is

SCHOOLCKAFT IS MISTAKEN 30 1

there entitled, "Hiawatha, or the Origin of the
Onondaga Council-Fire," at which place is appended
the following note: " Derived from the verbal narra-
tions of the late Abraham Le Fort, an Onondaga
Chief, who was a graduate, it is believed, of Geneva
college ; " and because the substance of Mr. School-
craft's note is reiterated in a note at the end of Mr.
Longfellow's poem, " The Song of Hiawatha," at page
299; and because, in a letter dated, Washington,
December 7, 1855, " To the Editor of The National
Intelligencer " copied in the Tribune of December 18,
Mr. Schoolcraft says: "Every author is responsible
for what he utters," and again: "The reference is
exclusively to the originality of the legends quoted by
the author of Hiawatha."

Now, if Mr. Schoolcraft means (as the books
declare) that he had the Onondaga tradition of
Hiawatha, as it is related in his ' ' Notes on the
Iroquois," and as it is transferred to his larger work,
" History, Condition and Prospects of the Indian
Tribes in the United States," "derived from the verbal
narrations of the late Abraham Le Fort, an Onondaga
Chief, who was a graduate, it is believed, of Geneva
college," then I say, unequivocally, that he is most
egregiously mistaken, and asserts what, upon reflec-
tion, he would be unwilling to repeat.

It was on the fourteenth day of August, 1845, at
my room in the hotel at the village of Aurora, Cayuga

362 . THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

county, on a certain occasion when Mr. Sclioolcraft
delivered an address before tlie G. O. I., and after he
had visited Onondaga, that I gave him several items
of information, some verbal, some written, and some
printed from the Commercial Advertiser. I then and
there referred him to the legend of ' ' The Wise Man
Hiawatha, or the White Canoe," the manuscript of
which had a short time previously been sent by me
to the Commercial Advertiser for publication.

I am quite certain that at that time the story of
Hiawatha was new to Mr. Schoolcraft. I then referred
him to the source whence I derived it. I also at the
same time gave him a note to Mr. Francis Hall, one of
the publishers of the Commercial Advertiser, request-
ing him to deliver to Mr. Schoolcraft the said
manuscript. Mr. Hall subsequently wrote me that he
had so delivered it, but that it had not been returned
to him.

The legend or tradition of Hiawatha was copied
almost verbatim into Mr. Schoolcraft's "Notes on the
Iroquois," the different points proceeding in exactly
the same order of sequence, the language only in
several places being changed, and all without the
customary credit. Whether the tradition was
improved by the transformation anyone may judge
by comparison. (See Clark's "Onondaga," vol. I.
pp. 21 to 30, and Schoolcraft's "Notes on the Iroquois,"
pp. 271 to 283, and his " History, Condition and

CLAEK CHALLENGED SCHOOLCRAFT 363

Prospects of tlie Indian Tribes in the United States,"
(third part, page 314, etc.)

Now, I challenge Mr. Schoolcraft to show that he
had any clue to the narrative and details of the
Onondaga tradition of Hiawatha, until he had access
to my manuscript as received by him from the editor
of the New York Commercial Advertiser.

As an evidence, I here most distinctly and emphati-
cally assert that the name " Hosee Noke," at page 278
of the " Notes " is an unadulterated fiction of my own,
created for the occasion, suggested by a wild, half-
crazy, merry- Andrew sort of fellow, an Indian, who
always took the lead in all the grotesque dances held
at the Onondaga Castle, who bore a similar name, and
who was a " Runner," and who is since dead.

Again, the speech of Hiawatha, as it appears at
page 280 of the "Notes," is a pure invention of my
own, and it is identical, verbatim, with the same
speech in Clark's " Onondaga," vol. I. at page 28,
which is like the manuscript furnished to Mr.
Schoolcraft by me through the editor of the Commer-
cial Advertiser. In the " Notes," however, Mr.
Schoolcraft has transposed the word Onondaga, and
entirely omitted the word Mohawk, which should be
in its place, which change wholly destroys the force,
truth and beauty of the allusions, for it makes them
totally inapplicable as rendered in the " Notes." The
Onondagas were always known as ' ' The People of

364 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

the Hills." Father Hennepin, Lib. II. page 104,
styles them the " Iroquois Highlanders, " and in early-
times the Mohawks were styled the " Great Tree," to
which the Dutch first made fast the chain of friend-
ship in their intercourse with the " Five Nations."
The names of the Senecas and Cayugas are omitted in
their x^i'oper places in the "Notes," as are also the
names of the several other Indian nations.

The version of "Hiawatha, or the Origin of the
Onondaga Council-Fire," in the larger work of Mr,
Schoolcraft, is merely an abridgement of the story as
it appears in the "Notes," though the speech of
Hiawatha is retained mainly. Most of the first part
of the tradition is entirely omitted in the larger work,
with the supplementary addition of the note accounting
for the source of its derivation.

The name Hi-a-wat-ha is purely Onondaga. It
has no existence or counterpart among the Indians
beyond the precincts of the Confederate Nations.
Other nations may have their " Quetzalcoatl," their
" Manitou," their " Manabozho," their " Mondamni,"
or other divinities, known by various names and
possessed of live characteristics, yet the Iroquois
alone have the true Hi-a-wat-ha, the great founder of
their league.

Upon the appearance of the tradition of Hiawatha
in the " Notes on the Iroquois," in 1847, I called the
attention of several of mv friends to the fact of its

schoolceaft's plagiariasm 365

having been previously read before the Manlius
Lyceum, and we compared the manuscript copy
retained by me with the version in the " Notes on the
Iroquois," and found them identical in the delineation
throughout, and verbatim in many entire paragraphs,
which circumstance could not possibly have occurred
had the traditton been " derived from the verhal narra-
tions of the late Abraham Le Fort, an Onondaga
Chief."

These gentlemen, my friends above referred to,
will attest to the facts herein set forth.

For myself I claim no particular merit or distinc-
tion for the tradition of Hiawatha, as the source of its
origin as it appears in English.

Nor do I wish in the remotest sense to detract a
particle from the well-earned fame of Mr. Schoolcraft
in regard to his Indian researches. But since the
tradition of Hiawatha has become the theme and sub-
stance of a purely American poem, which is attracting
a world-wide attention, and the origin of the tradition
has been wrongfully attributed in a note at the end of
the volume, and has been introduced into the greatest
Indian work of the age par excellence, as "derived
from the verbal narrations of the late Abraham
Le Fort, an Onondaga Chief," it is as well that the
public should be informed truly of the source.

This letter is signed by Joshua V. H. Clark, and it
is dated Manlius, Onondaga county, New York,
Januarv 2, lS5(i.

366 THE LEGEND OF HIAWATHA

Homer D. L. Sweet, in his biograpMcal sketch of
Joshua V. H. Chirk, whose death occurred in Manlius,
June 18, 1809, in his sixty-seventh year, says: "Very
unfortunately for Mr. Schoolcraft, he replied to Mr.
Clark, and imputed motives to him unworthy of a
gentleman. Mr. Clark, in a rejoinder, produced the
proofs and convicted Mr. Schoolcraft of plagiarism, if
not of untruthfulness."

Mr. Longfellow sent a copy of his " Song of
Hiawatha " to Mr. Clark, January, 1856, accompa-
nying it with a letter, which was. given to the Onon-
daga Historical Association.

Mr.Beauchamp,in a letter to the Syracuse Standard,
April 11, 189-4, makes reference to another legend of
Hiawatha, accidentally found by him in a book
published in 1839. This book is entitled: "The
History of the New Netherlands, Province of New
York and State of New York, to the adoption of the
Federal Constitution," written by William Dunlap
and printed for the author by Carter & Thorp of New
York in 1839. Mr. Dunlap says that he had frequent
communication with Ephraim Webster, the Indian
interpreter, and he adds: "Mr. Webster was most
conversant with the Onondagas, and when I knew him
in 1815, cultivated land in Onondaga Hollow, and was
looked up to by the Indians as a friend and father."

Mr. Dunlap's account of the origin of the Iroquois
confederation is as follows : —

AN EARLIER LEGEND 367

The Indian tradition of the origin of the confed-
eracy as given by him [Ephraim Webster], was as
follows : He said that the happy thought of union for
defence originated with an inferior Chief of the
Onondagas, who perceiving that although the five
tribes were alike in language, and had by co-operation
conquered a great extent of country, yet that they had
frequent quarrels and no head or great council, to
reconcile them ; and that while divided, the Western
Indians attacked and destroyed them ; seeing this, he
conceived the bright idea of union, and of a great
council of the chiefs of the Five Nations. This, he
said, and perhaps thought, came to him in a dream;
and it was afterward considered as coming from the
Great Spirit. He proposed this plan in a council of
his tribe, but the principal chief opposed it. He was
a great warrior, and feared to lose his influence as
head man of the Onondagas. This was a selfish man.

The younger chief, who we will call Oweko, was
silenced; but he determined in secret to attempt the
great political work. This was a man who loved the
welfare of others. To make long journeys and be
absent for several days while hunting, would cause
no suspicion, because it was common. He left home
as if to hunt ; but taking a circuitous path through
the woods, for all this great country was then a
wilderness, he made his way to the village or castle
of the Mohawks. He consulted some of the leaders

368 THE LEGEND OP HIAWATHA

of that tribe, and they received the scheme favorably ;
he visited the Oneidas, and gained the assent of their
chief ; he then returned home. After a time he made
another j^retended hunt, and another; thus, by de-
grees, visiting the Cayugas and Senecas, and gained
the assent of all to a great council to be held at Onon-
daga. With consummate art he then gained over his
own chief, by convincing him of the advantages of
the confederacy, and agreeing that he should be con-
sidered as the author of the plan. The great council
met, and the chief of the Onondagas made use of a
figurative argument, taught him by Oweko, which
was the same that we read of in the fable, where a
father teaches his sons the value of union by taking
one stick from a bundle, and showing how feeble it
was, and easily broken, and that when l)ound together
the bundle resisted his utmost strength.

Mr. Beauchamp's letter, to which reference has been
made, contains a letter to him from Dr. Horatio Hale,
the distinguished philologist, in which Dr. Hale says :
" ' Oweko ' does not differ so widely from ' Hiawatha '
that we may not fairly presume to have been a corrup-
tion of the latter name, made in passing from one
dialect to another, and finally into English. The
Mohawk form of the name, as you will see in the
'Book of Rites,' p. 128, is Ayonhwalitha. The
strong dental asjDirate, represented by ' hth, ' heard by
a foreign ear, might easily become a ' k. ' We have
many examples of corruption quite as great."

DR. HORATIO HALE'S OPINION 369

Regarding the words " Oweko " and " Hiawatha,"
Mr. Beauchamp says: "In regard to Mr. Hale's
conjecture on the name, while good, it is hardly
required, as the relator of Webster's story merely
says : ' The younger chief, whom we will call Oweko,
was silenced.' The inference is that he was uncertain
in his recollection of the name, and gave it as best he
could."

Dr. Hale is of the opinion "that the justly venerated
author of this confederation, the far-famed Hiawatha,
was not, as some have thought, a mj^thological or a
poetical creation, but really an aboriginal statesman
and law-maker, a personage as authentic and as admir-
able as Solon or Washington . The important bearing of
these conclusions on our estimate of the mental and
moral endowments of primitive or uncultivated man
is too clear to require explanation."

Mr. Beauchamj), while not agreeing entirely with
this opinion of Dr. Hale, is inclined to think that it is
in the main co-rrect.

CHAPTER XXIII

SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

The old town of Salina, now the towns of Salina
and Geddes and the city of Syracuse, the greater part
of which was originally embraced in the Salt Springs
Reservation, was incorporated March 27, 1809, its
territory having been a part of the original townships
of Manlius and Marcellus. The villages of Syracuse,
Salina and Geddes, now forming the greater part of
the city of Syracuse, were originally in the town of
Salina. The village of Salina was incorj)orated March
1-3, 1824. The \dllage of Syracuse was incorporated
April 13, 1825; and the first meeting for the election
of village officers was held at the old schoolhouse
May 3, 1825. The village of Geddes was incorporated
April 20, 1832, though a map of the site of Geddes
village was made as early as 1807, and several other
maps a few years later. Geddes iras not formed as a
town until 1818, The town included all that part of
the town of Salina west of Onondaga lake, not now
embraced in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse was

(370)

DATES OF INCORPORATIONS 371

incorporated by act of Legislature as a city, December

14, 1847, and it included the villages of Salina and
Syracuse. An election was lield in those two villages
January 3, 1848 ; and by the vote of that election the
act of incorporation became a law. The first election
in the city of Syracuse was held March 7, 1848, and
the first Common Council meeting was held March 13,
1848. The annexation of Geddes and adjacent terri-
tory to Syracuse, was authorized by act of Legislature
May 17, 1886. The Danforth territor}^ was authorized
to be annexed to Syracuse by act of Legislature June

15, 188(3. Danforth had been incorporated as a village
after the election held December 21, 1874, favoring
such action.

The city of Syracuse is situated in the midst of a
rich agricultural region, and near the centre of New
York state. It is a favorable place for holding
conventions, because of its central location ; and it is
often called "The City of Conventions" and "The
Central City." Syracuse is the county seat of Onon-
daga coujity. This county was originally formed
from the western part of Herkimer county, March 5,
1794, and included all of the Military Tract, the
boundaries of which embraced, (besides the territory
of the present Onondaga county,) all of what is now
included in the counties of Cayuga, Seneca, Cortland,
and all of that part of Tompkins county lying north
of a line drawn west from the head of Seneca lake to

372 SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

the southwest corner of Cortland county, and all that
part of Oswego county lying west of the Oswego river.
From this then great county, Cayuga was taken off
March 8, 1799; Cortland, April 8, 1808; and a part of
Oswego, March 1, 1816. When organized, the county
was divided into eleven towns, viz : Homer, Pompey,
Manlius, Lysander, Marcellus, Ulysses, Milton, Scipio,
Ovid, Aurelius and Romulus. The town of Onondaga
was set off from the original townshijjs of Marcellus,
Pompey and Manlius, by an act of Legislature, March
9, 1798. A part of Salina was taken off in 1809, and a
part of Camillus in 1834.

The first courts in Onondaga county were held in
barns and private residences at Onondaga, Levanna,
on the shore of Cayuga lake, now in Cayuga county,
and Ovid, now in Seneca county. The iirst court
house was erected at Onondaga Hill in 1805-'0G. The
commissioners appointed to select the site for the
court house were Asa Danforth, George Ballard and
Roswell Tousley.

The Walton Tract, which plays such an important
part in the history of Syracuse, being situated in what
is now the heart of the city, and consisting of 250 acres
of land of the Salt Springs Reservation, was sold at
public auction in June, 1804, and bid off by Abraham
Walton for $6,550. The sale was authorized by act of
Legislature, and the proceeds were expended in laying
out and improving a road running from lot forty-nine,

THE WALTON TRACT 373

Maiilius, to lot thirty-eight, Onondaga, east and west
through the reservation. This road was the old
Seneca turnpike. Tlie land had been advertised for
sale with the announcement that upon it was a good
mill site. The tract was laid out in an irregular form
by James Geddes, in order that as much dry land
might l)e secured as possible. But notwithstanding all
the precaution of Mr. Geddes, it was found impossible
to locate the ground in such a manner as to avoid
entirely the swamp, some considerable portion of
which was covered with water most of the year; a
doleful place, indeed, for the site of a future city.

A portion of the Walton Tract was sold to Michael
Hogan and Charles Walton, who, with the original
proprietor, held it in common. After some unim-
portant clianges, the tract was sold in 1814, for $9,000,
to Forman, Wilson & Company, composed of Joshua
Forman, Ebenezer Wilson, Jr., and John B. Creed.
The tract was sold by the Sheriff, October 26, 1818, to
Daniel Kellogg and William H. Sabin for $10,915.
The next owner was Henry Eckford, the celebrated
ship builder of New York. He jjurchased it in 1833.
In May, 1824, the Walton Tract was transferred for
$30,000 to the Syracuse Company, composed of William
James of Albany, who owned five-eights; Isaiah
Townsend and John Townsend of Albany, who owned
two-eighths; and James McBride of New York, who
owned one-eighth. The tract was then deeded in

374 SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

trust to Moses D. Burnet and Gideon Hawley. During

all tliis time, extensive sales had been made of portions

of this tract to different individuals.

The village officers of Syracuse are as follows:

18"2o. — Trustees — Joshua Forman, President; Amos
P. Granger, Moses D. Burnet, Heman Walbridge,
John Rogers. Assessors — James Webb, Alfred
Northam, Thomas Spencer. Clerk — John Wil-
kinson. Treasurer— John Durnford.

1826. — Trustees — William Malcolm, President; Jonas
Mann, John Wall, Henry Young, A. N. Van
Patten, Assessors — A. X. Van Patten, Stephen
W. Cadwell, Alfred Northam. Clerk— Peter
Van Olinda. Treasurer — John Durnford.

1827. — Trustees — Jonas Mann, President; Archie
Kasson, John Wilkinson, James Webb, Jonathan
Day. Assessors— Stephen W. Cadwell, Barent
Filkins, Humphrey Mellen. Clerk- — John C.
Field. Treasurer — Volney Cook.

1828. — Trustees — Henry Newton, President; John
Wall, Amos P. Granger, John Wilkinson, John
H. Johnson. Assessors — Joseph Slocum, Calvin
Rilej^ Pliny Dickinson. Clerk — John C. Field.
Treasurer — Stephen W. Cadwell.

182'J. — Trustees — Stephen W. Cadwell, President;
Joseph Slocum, B. Davis Noxon, Calvin Riley,
H. W. Van Buren. Assessors — Elbert Norton,
James Webb, W. B. Kirk. Clerk— John C.
Field. Treasurer — George Fitch.

VILLAGE OFFICERS 375

lS3n.— Trustees— William B. Kirk, President; Elbert
Norton, Schuyler Strong, Columbus Bradley,
H. W. Van Buren. Assessors — R. I. Brockway,
David Stafford, Joseph Savage. Clerk — John C.
Field. Treasurer — Hiram Judson.

ISol. — Trustees — Daniel Elliott, President; B. Davis
Noxon, Elijah Dunlap, Columbus Bradley, Ros-
well Hinman. Assessors — Theodore Ashley,
William H. Alexander, Paschal Thurber. Clerk —
Hiram A. Deming. Treasurer — Elbert Norton.

1832. — Trustees — Hiram Putnam, President; Will-
iam Malcolm, David Stafford, 'Jr., Willet Ray nor,
Columbus Bradley. Assessors — Daniel Elliott,
George Hooker, Mather Williams. Clerk —
Hiram A. Deming. Treasurer — Elbert Norton.

1833. — Trustees — Henry Davis, jr.. President;
Columbus Bradley, Stephen W. Cadwell, Lewis
H. Redfield, John H. Johnson. Assessors — Amos
P. Granger, John Wilkinson, David S. Colvin.
Clerk — Edward B. Wicks. Treasurer — Hiram
A. Deming.

183-1:. — Trustees — B. Davis Noxon, President; Lyman
Phillips, Silas Ames, Paschal Thurber, William
K. Blair. Assessors — Hiram Putnam, George
W. Burnet, Harmon W. Van Buren. Clerk —
J. E. Hanchett. Treasurer — Hiram A, Deming.

1S:)5. — Trustees — Stephen W. Cadwell, President;
Vivus W. Smith, Elihu Walter, Silas Ames,

37G SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

Roswell Hinman. Assessors — Lewis H. Red field,
Henry W. Starin, Thomas Bennett. Clerk —
Peter Outwater, jr. Treasnrer— Hiram Judson.

1 snC). — Trustees — Pliny Dickinson, President; Thomas
B. Fitch, William Jackson, Elilm L. Phillips,
James Hnff. Assossors — William B. Kirk, David
Stafford, jr., Hiram Putnam. Clerk — Levi L.
Chapman. Treasurer — Charles B. Hargin.

1837. — Trustees — Elias W. Leavenworth, President;
William Jackson, John H. Lathrop, Theodore
Wood, Samuel Larned. Assessors — Hiram Put-
nam, William H. Alexander, Robert Furman.
Clerk — H. Nelson Cheney. Treasurer — Edward
B. Wicks.

1838. — Trustees — Elias W. Leavenworth, President;
Jonathan Baldwin, Robert Furman, Amos P.
Granger, Ziba W. Cogswell. Assessors — Pliny
Dickinson, Charles A. Baker, John H. Lathrop.
Clerk — Samuel D. Day. Treasurer — Edward
B. Wicks.

1839. — Trustees — Elias W. Leavenworth, Prosidimt;
Jonathan Baldwin, Robert Furman, Amos P.
Granger, Ziba W. C>)gswell. Assessor.s — Plinj'
Dickinson, Charles A. Baker, John H. Lathrop.
Clerk — Samuel D. Day. Treasurer — Edward
B. Wicks.

1840. — Trustees — Elias W. Leavenworth, President;
Jonathan Baldwin, Paschal Thurber, Gardner

VILLAGE OFFICERS 377

Lawrence, Lucius A. Cheney. Assessors^ — Jona-
than Baldwin, William K. Blair, Charles A.
Baker. Clerk — Jasper Smith. Treasurer — Har-
mon W. VanBuren.

1841.— Trustees— Thomas T. Davis, President; Will-
iam Barker, Elisha George, Hiram Putnam,
Johnson Hall. Assessors — William H. Alexander,
William Malcolm, Mather Williams. Clerk-
William M. Clarke. Treasurer — Harmon W.
Van Buren.

1842. — Trustees — Henry W. Durnford, President;
George Stevens, Joseph Savage, Charles A. Baker,
Robert Furman. Assessors — Horace Butts, Ansel
Lull, Henry Gifford. Clerk — John K. Barlow.
Treasurer — Pliny Dickinson.

1848. — Trustees — Henry Rhoades, President; George
Stevens, Alanson Thorp, R. R. Phelps, Smith
Ostrom. Assessors — John Newell, William
Barker, Horace Butts. Clerk — Richard A. Yoe.
Treasurer — Hiram Putnam.

1844.— Trustees— Philo D. Micldes, President; Alex-
ander McKinstry, Horace Butts, Robert Furman,
Lucius A. Cheney. Assessors — Joseph Slocum,
Charles A. Baker, Jared H. Parker, Clerk —
Rodolphus H. Duell. Treasurer — Hiram Putnam.

1845. — Trustees — William Barker, President; Jared
H. Parker, Alexander McKinstry, L. A. Cheney,
Bradley Cary. Assessors — William B. Kirk,

378 SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

Charles A. Baker, Joseph Slocum. Clerk— Caleb
B. Cruml). Treasurer — Hiram Putnam.

1846. — Trustees — Elias W. Leavenworth, President;
S. V. R.VanHeusen, Hamilton White, William B.
Kirk, JosephBilliiigs. Assessors — George Stevens,
Charles A. Baker. William Barker. Clerk —
Oliver R. W. Lull. Treasurer — Hiram Putnam.

184T. — Trustees — Elias W. Leavenworth, President;
Alexander McKinstry, Charles Leonard, Henry
Agnew, Perley B.Cleveland. Assessors — William
Barker, Harmon W. Van Buren, J. H. Parker.
Clerk — Daniel P. Wood. Treasurer — Hiram
Putnam.
The city officers of Syracuse are as follows :

1848. — Mayor — Harvey Baldwin, Democrat. Clerk
— Richard A. Yoe. Treasurer — Pi-rry Burdick.
Aldermen — First ward — Eliza r Clark, James
Lynch. Second ward — John B. Burnet, Alex-
ander McKinstry. Third ward — Gardner Law-
rence, William H. Alexander. Fourth ward —
Robert Furman, Henry W. Durnford.

1849. — Mayor — Elias \V. Leavenworth, Whig. Clerk
— S. Corning Judd. Treasurer — Harmon AV.
Van Buren. Aldermen — First ward — James
Lynch, Thomas Feagan, (resigned February 26,
1850.) John P. Babcock, (appointed by Common
Council to fill vacancy.) Second ward — Alexan-
der McKinstry, Silas Titus. Third ward —

CITY OFFICERS 379

Gardner Lawrence, Amos Westcott. Fourth
ward — Henry W. Durnford, Edward B. Wicks.

1850.— Mayor— Alfred H. Hovey, Whig. Clerk—
LeRoy L. Alexander. Treasurer — Harvey Hatha-
way. Aldermen — Mrst ward — John P. Babcock,
Miles W. Bennett. Second ward — Silas Tituf?,
George W. Herrick. Third ward — ^Amos West-
cott, John W. Barker. Fourth ward — Edward B.
Wicks, Henry D. Hatch.

1851. — Mayor — Moses D. Burnet, Loco Foco, (elected
hut declined to qualify.) Horace Wheaton,
(appointed by Common Council.) Clerk — LeRoy
L. Alexander. Treasurer — James A. Castle.
Aldermen — First ward — Miles W. Bennett, Burr
Barton. Second ward — George W. Herrick,
James M. Taylor. Third ward — John W. Barker,
(removed from ward,) Benjamin L. Higgins
(elected to fill vacancy,) Volney Green. Fourth
w.u'd — Henry D. Hatch, Charles Pope.

1852. — Mayor — Jason C. Woodruff, Loco Foco.
Clerk — LeRoy L. Alexander. Treasurer — Jacob
S. Smith. Aldermen — First ward — Burr Bur-
ton, Alonzo Cri2)pen. Second ward — Daniel
O. Salmon, Harmon Ackerman. Third ward —
Volney Green, Addison' G. Williams. Fourth
w.u'd — Charles Pope, Oliver T. Burt.

185;).— Mayor — Dennis McCarthy, Lo(to Foco. Cl;'rk
— LeRoy L. Alexander. Treasurer — Jolm M. Jay-
cox. Aldermen — First ward — Alonzo Cripj)en,

380 SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

Patrick Cooney. Second ward — Daniel O. Salmon,
Alexander McKinstry. Third ward — Addison G.
Williams, John A. Clarke. Fourth ward— Oliver
T. Bnrt, George J. Gardner.
1854. — Mayor— Allen Munroe, Whig. Clerk — Car-
roll E. Smith. Treasurer— S. Hervey Slosson,
Aldermen — First ward — Patrick Cooney, Rich-
ard Sanger. Second Ward— Peter Ohneth, Jacob
Pfohl. Third ward— Alexander McKinstry, Sol-
omon Wands. Fourtli ward— Peter Featherly,
Francis A. Thayer. Frfth ward— William B.
Durkee, Z. Lawrence Beebe. Sixth ward — John
A. Clarke, Timothy Hough. Seventh ward-
William C. Young, Robert M. Richardson.
Eighth ward— George J. Gardner, Tobias Van
Dusen.
1855.— Mayor— Lyman Stevens, Republican. Clerk
—Carroll E. Smith. Treasurer— S. Her-

vey Slosson. Aldermen — First ward — Richard
Sanger, Timotny R. Porter. Second ward-
Jacob Pfohl, Peter Ohneth. Third ward-
Solomon Wands, Manly T. Hilliard. Fourth
ward— Francis A. Thayer, William Kirkpatrick.
Fifth ward — Z. Lawrence Beebe, Vernam C.
James. Sixth ward— Timothy Hough, Charles
H. W^ells. Seventh ward— Robert M. Richard-
son, Horatio N. White. Eighth ward—Tobias
Van Dusen, Elijah M. Ford.

CITY OFFICERS 381

1856. — Mayor — Charles F. Willistoii, Democrat.
Clerk — Carroll E. Smith. Treasurer — Edgar
Marvin. Aldermen — First ward — Timothy R.
Porter, Coddington B. Williams. Second ward —
Peter Ohneth, Peter Conrad. Third ward — Manly
T. Hilliard, Charles Manahan. Fourth ward —
William Kirkpatrick, George Sanford. Fifth
ward — Vernam C. James, William B. Durkee.
Sixth ward — Henry Church, Amos B. Hough.
Seventh ward — Horatio N. White, Francis A.
Marsh. Eight ward — James L. Bagg, Norman
Watson.

1857. — Mayor — Charles F. Williston, Democrat.
Clerk — James S. Gillespie. Treasurer — Horace
Wheaton. Aldermen — First ward — Coddington
B. Williams, Patrick Cooney. Second ward —
Peter Conrad, Cornelius L. Alvord. Third ward
— Charles Manahan, John Ritchie. Fourth ward
— George Sanford; William Kirkpatrick. Fifth
ward — John C. Manly, (to fill vacancy), John J.
Mowry. Sixth ward — Amos B. Hough, Henry
Church. Seventh ward — Francis A. Marsh,
John Radigan. Eighth ward — Norman Watson,
Samuel J. Lackey.

1858. — Mayor — William Winton, Democrat. Clerk —
James S. Gillespie. Treasurer — Horace Wheaton.
Aldermen — First ward^Patrick Cooney. Second
ward — Frederick Gilbert. Third ward — Charles

382 SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

Manahan. Fourth ward — James Johnson. Fifth
ward — Abiah P. Doane. Sixtli ward — John L.
Cook. Seventh ward — Robert M. Richardson.
Eighth ward — Samuel J. Lackey.

1859. — Mayor — Elias W. Leavenworth, Republican.
Clerk — Edgar S. Mathews. Treasurer — Norman
Otis. Aldermen — First ward — Harvey Hatha-
way. Second ward — Adam Listraan. Third
ward — Samuel P. Geer. Fourth ward — Luke
Ci)llins. Fifth ward— David Field. Sixth ward
— Charles P. Clark. Seventh ward — Jason S.
Hoyt. Eighth ward — Austin Myers.

ISOO. — Mayor — Amos Westcott, Republican. Clerk —
Edgar S. Mathews. Treasurer — John G. K.
Truair. Aldermen — First ward — Harvey Hatha-
way. Second ward — Adam Listman. Third
ward— Samuel P. Geer. Fourth ward— Luke
Collins. Fifth ward— David Field. Sixth ward
— Charles P. Clark. Seventh ward — Horatio N.
White. Eighth ward — Samuel J. Lackey.

18(;i. — Mayor — Charles Andrews, Republican. Clerk
— Edu-ar S. Mathews. Treasurer — John G. K.
Truair. Aldermen — First ward — Garrett Doyle.
Second ward — Jacob Pfohl. Third ward — Samuel
P. Geer. Fourth ward— Horatio G. Glen. Fifth
ward — David Field. Sixth ward — Moses Sum-
mers. Seventh ward — Horatio N. White. Eighth
ward — Ira Seymour.

CITY OFFICERS 383

1863. — Mayor — Charles Andrews, Republican. — Clerk
— Edgar S. Mathews. Treasurer — John G. K.
Truair. Aldermen — First ward — Garrett Doyle.
Second ward — Benedict Haberle. Third ward —
Samuel P. Geer. Fourth ward — William Sum-
mers. Fifth ward — Josiali Bettis. Sixth ward —
Charles P. Clark. Seventh ward — Horatio N.
White. Eighth ward — Ira Seymour.

1803. — Mayor — Daniel Bookstaver, Democrat. — Clerk
— Robert M. Beecher. Treasurer — Daniel J. Hal-
sted. Aldermen — First ward — Franklin Ward.
Second ward — Charles Meebold. Third ward —
Francis H. Kennedy. Fourth ward — Luke Col-
lins. Fifth ward — Jacob Pinkerton. Sixth ward
— Francis E. Carroll. Seventh ward — Parley
Bassett. Eighth ward — George J. Gardner.

18(34. — Mayor — Archibald C. Powell, Republican.
Clerk — Edward H. Brown. Treasurer — John
G. K. Truair. Aldermen — First ward — Franklin
Ward. Second ward — Charles F. Wisehoon.
Third ward — Jacobus Bruyn. Fourth ward — Ho-
ratio G. Glen. Fifth ward — Josiali Bettis. Sixth
ward — Alfred Higgins. Seventh ward — John J.
Crouse. Eighth ward — Philander W. Hudson.

18G5. — Mayor — William D. Stewart, Democrat. Clerk
— Edward H. Brown. Treasurer — John G. K.
Truair. Aldermen — First ward — Peter Mackin.
Second ward — Charles F. Wisehoon. Third ward —

384 SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

Jacobus Bruyn. Fourth \vard — Charles Stroh.
Fifth ward — Anson A. Sweet. Sixth ward —
Alfred Higgins. Seventh ward — John J. Grouse.
Eighth ward — James Bonner.

lS(i(i. — Mayor — William T>. Stewart, Democrat. Clerk
— Edgar S. Mathews. Treasurer^Moses Sum-
mers. Aldermen — First ward — Peter Mackin.
Second ward^ — John Graff. Third ward — Edmund
B. Griswold. Fourth ward — Charles Stroh.
Fifth ward — David Field. Sixth ward — Alfred
Higgins. Seventh ward — Joseph E. Masters.
Eighth w.-ird — Robert Hewitt.

1807. — Mayor — William D. Stewart, Democrat. Clerk
— Edgar S. Mathews. Treasurer — Charles J.
Foote. Aldermen — First ward — Samuel Kent.
Second ward — John Graff. Third ward — Jacobus
Bruyn. Fourth ward — David Wilcox. Fifth
ward — Horatio G. Glen. Sixth ward — Richard
W. Jones. Seventh ward — Miles Haudwright.
Eighth ward — Robert Hewitt.

18(38. — Mayor — Charles Andrews, Republican. Clerk
— Edgar S. Mathews. Treasurer — Thomas S.
Truair. Aldermen — First ward — John McKeever.
Second ward — John Hirsch. Third ward — Jaco-
bus Bruyn. Fourth ward — Nicholas Grumbach.
Fifth ward— John Stedman. Sixth ward — Rich-
ard W. Jones. Seventh ward — Benjamin L.
Higgins. Eighth ward — James Pinkerton.

CITY OFFICERS 385

ISG'J.— Mayor— Charles P. Clark, Republican. Clerk
— Edgar S. Mathews. Treasurer — Thomas S.
Truair. Aldermen — First ward — Samuel Kent.
Second ward— Peter Miller. Third waixl— Will-
iam H. Austin. Fourth ward — Nicholas
Grumbach. Fifth ward — Horatio G. Glen. Sixth
ward — Alfred Higgins. Seventh ward — Jacob
Levi. Eighth ward — James Pinkerton.

LS70.— Mayor— Charles P. Clark, Republican. Clerk
— Samuel W. Sherlock. Treasurer — Parley Bas-
sett. Aldermen-^First ward — John McGuire.
Second ward — Maximilian Blust. Third ward —
Martin Smith. Fourth ward — William Phillipson.
Fifth ward — Christopher C. Bradley. Sixtli
ward — Samuel E. Kingsley. Seventh ward —
Jacob Levi. Eighth ward — George Draper.

1871. — Mayor — Francis E. Carroll, Democrat. Clerk
— Samuel W. Sherlock. Treasurer — Parley Bas-
sett. Aldermen — First ward — John McGuire.
Second ward — Jacob Knapp. Third ward — Alfred
A. Howlett. Fourth ward — William Phillipson.
Fifth ward — Christopher C. Bradley. Sixth
ward — Thomas Nesdall. Seventh ward — Jacob
Levi. Eighth ward — Thomas G. Bassett.

1872. — Mayor — Francis E. Carroll, Democrat. Clerk
— Samuel W. Sherlock. Treasurer — Parley Bas-
sett. Aldermen — First ward — John McGuire.
Second ward — John Demong. Thii-d ward —

386 SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

Richard Clancy. Fourth ward — John Kohl. Fifth
ward— Jacob Pinkerton. Sixth ward — Thomas
Nesdall. Seventh ward — William Cahill. Eighth
ward — E. Austin Barnes.

1873. — Mayor — William J. Wallace, Republican.
Clerk — Samuel W. Sherlock. Treasurer — Parley
Bassett. Aldermen — First ward — John Cawley.
Second ward — John Demong. Third ward —
Richard Clancy. Fourth ward — John Kohl.
Fifth ward — Jolm H. Horton. Sixth ward — John
R. Whitlock. Seventh ward— William Cahill.
Eighth ward — George J. Gardner.

1874. — Mayor— Nathan F. Graves,Democrat. Clerk —
Samuel W. Sherlock. Treasurer — Parley Bassett.
Aldermen — First ward — John Cawley. Second
ward — John Demong. Third ward — Richard
Clancy, Fourth ward — William Kirkpatrick.
Fifth ward — John D. Gray. Sixth ward — John R.
Whitlock. Seventh ward — William Cahill.
Eighth ward — James L. Hill.

1875. — Mayor — George P. Hier, Republican. Clerk —
Lyman C. Dorwin. Treasurer— Albert L. Bridge-
man. Aldermen — First ward — Jeremiah F.
Barnes. Second ward — Adam Filsinger. Tliird
ward — Austin C. Wood. Fourth ward — Thomas
Ryan. Fifth ward — William Dickinson. Sixth
ward — Alfred Higgins. Seventh ward — Albert
M. Morse. Eighth ward — James L. Hill.

CITY OFFICERS 387

187<). — Mayor — John J. Grouse, Republican. Clerk —
Lyman C. Dorwin. Treasurer — James B. Rae.
Aldermen — First ward — John Harvey. Second
ward — John Demong. Third ward — Timothy
Sullivan. Fourth ward — Thomas Ryan. Fifth
ward — Samuel Taylor. Sixth ward — Alfred Hig-
gins. Seventh ward- Albert M. Morse. Eighth
ward — Riley V. Miller.

1877. — Mayor — James J. Belden, Republican. Clerk
— ^LymanC. Dorwin. Treasurer — Stiles M. Rust.
Aldermen — First ward — Jeremiah F. Barnes.
Second ward — John Listman. Third ward —
Timothy Sullivan. Fourth ward — J. Emmet
Wells. Fifth ward— A. Clarke Baum. Sixth
ward — Alfred Higgins. Seventh ward — Albert
M. Morse. Eighth ward — Jacob Crouse.

1878. — Mayor — James J. Belden. Clerk — Lyman C.
Dorwin. Treasurer — Stiles M. Rust. Aldermen
— First ward — John Harvey. Second ward —
Philip Schaefer. Third ward — Timothy Sullivan.
Fourth ward — J. Emmet Wells. Fifth ward —
Pierce B. Brayton. Sixth ward — Alfred Higgins.
Seventh ward — Thomas McCarthy. Eighth
ward — Dennis M. Kennedy.

1879. — Mayor — Irving G. Vann, Republican. Clerk
— Lyman C. Dorwin. Treasurer — Timothy Sul-
livan. Aldermen — First ward — Andrew Martin.
Second ward — Joseph Waller. Third ward —

388 SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

Anthony S. Webb. Fourth ward — Charles
Schlosser. Fifth ward— Charles Hubbard. Sixth
ward— Daniel Candee. Seventh ward— Dennis
B. Keller. Eighth ward — Luther S. Merrick.

1880.— Mayor— Francis Hendricks, Republican. Clerk
—Lyman C. Dorwin. Treasurer— Timothy Sulli-
van. Aldermen— First ward— Andrew Martin.
Second ward— Joseph Waller. Third ward-
Anthony S. Webb. Fourth ward— Charles Schlos-
ser. Fifth ward— Greene W. Ingalls. Sixth
ward— Daniel Candee. Seventh ward— AVilliam
Cahill. Eighth ward— Lnther S. Merrick.

1S81. — Mayor — Francis Hendricks, Republican. Clerk
—Lyman C. Dorwin. Treasurer— Timothy Sulli-
van. Aldermen — First ward — Frederick Beley.
Second ward— Jacob Eichenlaub. Third ward-
Anthony S. Webb. Fourth ward— James Finc-
gan. Fifth ward — Richard Tremain. Sixth
ward— Willis B. Burns. Seventh ward— John
Bedford. Eighth ward— Luther S. Merrick.

1882. — Mayor — John Demong, Democrat. Clerk —
Lyman C. Dorwin. Treasurer— Timothy Sulli-
van. Aldermen— First ward— Frederick Beley.
Second ward — Jacob Eichenlaub. Third ward
— Anthony S. Webb. Fourth ward— James
Finegan. Fifth ward — Richard Tremain. Sixth
^ai.(l — Willis B. Burns. Seventh ward — John
Bedford. Eighth ward— Luther S. Merrick.

CITY OFFICERS 389

1883. — Mayor — Thomas Ryan, Democrat. Clerk —
Lyman C. Dorwin. Treasurer — Charles J. Rae.
Aldermen — First ward — Frederick Beley. Second
ward — Jacob Eichenlaub — Third ward — Frank
Matty. Fourth ward— J. Emmet Wells. Fifth
ward^ — John C. Keefe. Sixth ward — Charles E.
Candee. Seventh ward — Thomas Mc Manus.
Eighth ward — Luther S. Merrick.

1884. — Mayor — Thomas Ryan, Democrat. Clerk —
Henry W. Bannister. Treasurer — Charles J.
Rae. Aldermen — First ward — Hoyt H. Freeman.
Second ward — Charles Listman. Third ward —
Frank Matty. Fourth ward — Frederick Schwarz.
Fifth ward— William J. Gillett. Sixth ward-
Charles E. Candee. Seventh ward — Thomas
Mc Manus. Eighth ward — James B. Brooks.

1885. — Mayor — Thomas Ryan, Democrat. Clerk —
Henry W. Bannister. Treasurer — Charles J.
Rae. Aldermen — First ward — John Leahey.
Second ward — Charles Listman. Third ward-
James Downey. Fourth ward — Phillip Goettel.
Fifth ward — John G. Glazier. Sixth ward —
Charles E. Candee. Seventh ward — Thomas
Mc Manus. Eighth, ward — Terrence D.Wilkin.

1880. — Mayor — Willis B. Burns, Republican. Clerk —
Henry W. Bannister. Treasurer — Micliael
Whelan. Aldermen — First ward — John Leahey.
Second ward — Charles Listman. Third ward —

300 SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

James Downey. Fourth ward — Phillip Goettel.
Fiftli ward — John G. Glazier. Sixth ward —
Charles E. Ca,ndee. Seventh ward — Thomas
Mc Manns. Eighth ward — Terrence D. Wilkin.

1887.— Mayor— Willis B. Burns, Republican. Clerk
— Henry W. Bannister. Treasurer — Michael
Whelan, Aldermen — First ward — John Leahey.
Second w^ard — Charles Listman. Third ward —
Patrick Quinlan. Fourth ward — Jacob Galster.
Fifth Ward- Charles C. Lott. Sixth ward-
Charles E. Candee. Seventh ward — Peter E.
Garlick. Eighth ward — Joseph W. Young.
Ninth ward — Frank M. Sweet. Tenth ward —
John P. Shumway. Eleventh ward — John Mc-
Lennan.

1888.— Mayor— William B. Kirk, Democrat. Clerk-
Henry W. Bannister. Treasurer — Michael Whe-
lan. Aldermen — First ward — John Leahey.
Second ward — Peter Suavely. Third ward —
Patrick Quinlan. Fourth ward — John Finegan.
Fifth ward— Charles C. Lott. Sixth ward-
Charles E. Candee. Seventh ward — Peter E.
Garlick. Eighth ward — C. Eugene Seager.
Ninth ward — Frank M. Sweet. Tenth ward —
John Scanlan. Eleventh ward — John McLennan.

1889.— Mayor— William B. Kirk, Democrat. Clerk
— Henry W. Bannister. Treasurer — Benjamin
W. Roscoe. Aldermen — First ward — Thomas

CITY OFFICERS 391

Small. Second ward— Peter Snavely. Third
ward — Frank Matty. Fourth Avard — James Fine-
gan. Fifth ward — Terrence D. Wilkin. Sixth
ward — Charles E. Candee. Seventh ward —
Michael D. McAuliffe. Eighth ward— C. Eugene
Seager. Ninth ward — Edward M. Klock. Tenth
ward — John Scanlan. Eleventh ward — John
McLennan.

1800. — Mayor — William Cowie, Republican. Clerk
— Henry F. Stephens. Treasurer — Benjamin W,
Roscoe. Aldermen — First ward — Thomas Small.
Second ward — Andrew Zinsmeister. Third ward —
Frank Matty. Fourth ward — Benjamin Stephen-
son. Fifth ward — Terrence D. Wilkin. Sixth
ward — Charles E. Candee. Seventh ward —
Michael D. McAuliffe. Eighth ward— Charles
F. Ayling. Ninth ward — Edward M. Klock.
Tenth ward— Michael O'Neill. Eleventh ward —
John McLennan.

1891. — Mayor — William Cowie, Republican. Clerk
— Henry F. Stephens. Treasurer — Benjamin W,
Roscoe. Aldermen — First ward — John Leahey.
Second ward — Andrew Zinsmeister. Third ward —
Frank Matty. Fourth ward — Benjamin Stephen-
son. Fiftli ward — Peter J. Mack. Sixth ward
— Charles E. Candee. Seventh ward — John J.
Murray. Eighth ward — Thomas Merriam. Ninth
ward — Philip G. Brown. Tenth ward — Thomas

392 SHORT HISTORY OF SYRACUSE

McCarthy. Eleventh ward— Fred A. M. Ball.
Twelfth ward— Edward C. Smith. Thirteenth
ward — Leonard S. Hamson. Fourteenth ward —
John S. Carter.

IS'.'i'l. — Mayor — Jacob Amos, Republican. Clerk-
Henry F. Stephens. Treasurer — Patrick R.
Quinlan. Aldermen — First ward — John Leahey.
Second ward — Andrew Ziusmeister. Third ward
— Frank Matty. Fourth ward — Benjamin Steph-
enson. Fifth ward — Peter J. Mack. Sixth ward
— Robert C. Mc Clure. Seventh ward — John J.
Murray — Eighth ward — Eugene J. Mack. Ninth
ward— Philip G. Brown. Tenth ward— William
J. Nairn. Eleventh ward— Fred A. M. Ball.
Twelfth ward— Jay B. Kline. Thirteenth ward —
Leonard S. Hamson. Fourteenth ward — Jdm A.
Tholens.

1893. — Mayor — Jacob Amos, Republican. Clerk —
Henry F. Stephens. Treasurer— Patrick R.
Quinlan. Aldermen — First ward — John Leahey.
Second ward — Andrew Ziusmeister. Third ward
— Frank Matty. Fourth ward — Benjamin Steph-
enson. Fifth ward— Peter J. Mack. Sixth
ward— Robert C. Mc Clure. Seventh ward-
George Freeman. Eighth ward — Eugene J. Mack.
Ninth ward— George A. Ball. Tenth ward —
William J. Nairn. Eleventli ward— Robert
Ballard. Twelfth ward— Jay B. Kline. Thir-

CITY OFFICERS 393

teenth ward — Leonard S. Hamson. Fourteenth
ward — John A. Tholens. Fifteenth ward — Jolm
Reagan. Sixteenth ward — Frederick A. Schuck.
Seventeenth ward — Patrick J. McMahon. Eight-
eenth ward — Otto A. Thomas. Nineteenth ward
— John J. Murrav.

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